Freeman has broken wrist, expected to miss 10 weeks

ATLANTA — The Braves are looking for help at first base after losing Freddie Freeman for about 10 weeks due to a broken left wrist.

President of baseball operations John Hart says he knows no player can replace the production lost by the injury to Freeman, who shared the major league lead with 14 homers and was hitting .341.

Freeman was hurt when hit by a pitch from Toronto’s Aaron Loup during the fifth inning of an 8-4 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Hart said losing Freeman is “devastating news for the ballclub.”

Braves general manager John Coppolella said the team doesn’t have a first baseman in the minor leagues ready to be called up.

The team was considering free agents, including James Loney, who hit .265 with nine homers in 100 games for the Mets last year and was released from a minor league contract with Detroit this month.

Coppolella said re-signing Ryan Howard, who was released from the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett team on May 8, is not an option.

Jace Peterson, a utility player who has spent most of his time at the middle infield spots, started at first base in Thursday night’s game against the Blue Jays.

“We couldn’t find anybody that could do what Freddie does,” Coppolella said. “He was arguably the best player in the whole league.”