The Braves were up two runs on the Rockies in the bottom of the ninth when things got awkward between teammates. A routine pop-up drifted into shallow left field, and Josh Donaldson called for it. He was settled under the ball, repeating “I got it.” But Dansby Swanson came charging in from shortstop and waved him off at the last second. Swanson ended up laying out to make the catch as the ball kept drifting, but Donaldson’s body language said it all. He looked stunned and frustrated, throwing his hands up and mouthing what looked like “Come on, dude.”
Swanson had just hit a walk-off the night before and might be riding high on confidence. He’s trying to solidify himself as an everyday guy, showcasing his range and hustle. But Donaldson, a veteran with over a decade in the league, wasn’t having it. From his reaction, it was clear he didn’t think Swanson needed to take over on that play. His face said, “I’ve got this,” and the dive only added to the disbelief. It wasn’t a game-changing mistake, but the moment exposed a bit of tension and maybe a lack of trust in communication. Just a routine pop-up, but not a routine reaction.