The Atlanta Braves face a challenging period as they navigate injuries to key players during a crucial phase of the season. Among them is All-Star pitcher Max Fried, who was placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday's All-Star Game, leading to concerns about his condition.
"Before the All-Star Game, I was warming up like I normally do and doing some arm circles. Felt something and didn't think much of it. In this game, you feel things all the time. Normally, they go away. Didn't feel like I was in any jeopardy of really hurting myself," Fried recounted.
Despite initial hopes that it was a minor issue, Fried's discomfort persisted. "Took the day off after the game to travel home. Came in, played catch, and still was feeling it. At that point, knew I probably should say something if I wasn't going to be able to make my start. Got tests done, everything structurally looks great. Just irritated a sensory nerve, not one of the major muscle functioning nerves. Just going to let it calm down and hopefully be back soon," Fried elaborated.
The Braves called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill the void left by Fried's absence. Fried, who holds a 7-5 record this season with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, will be missed on the mound. His performance this season has been instrumental for the Braves, especially considering he was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022.
Ozzie Albies's Injury Adds to Braves' Woes
The Braves' injury issues extend beyond Fried, as second baseman Ozzie Albies also heads to the injured list after a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies has been a consistent contributor with a .255/.308/.403 line and eight home runs in 89 games this season. This setback comes after Albies missed ten days in April due to a toe fracture.
Braves manager Brian Snitker succinctly summarized the situation: "It's not good." The timing couldn't be worse for a team holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record.
Looking for Stability Amidst Turmoil
The injuries to Fried and Albies follow a series of unfortunate events for the Braves. Ronald Acuña Jr. was sidelined in 2023 due to an ACL tear, and Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. In response to these setbacks, the Braves will rely heavily on pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, alongside Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach, to stabilize their rotation.
The specific condition affecting Fried, forearm neuritis, is characterized by the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. Fortunately for Fried and the Braves, tests revealed no structural damage, which is a relief in an otherwise challenging situation.
As the Braves work to navigate these hurdles, the contributions of players like Chris Sale and Reynaldo López will be critical. With veterans like Morton and promising talents like Schwellenbach stepping up, the team aims to maintain its competitive edge in the highly-contested National League Wild Card race.
The focus will be on managing these injuries and ensuring that key players can return to the fold sooner rather than later. For Fried, allowing the irritated sensory nerve to calm down is paramount to a swift recovery. Meanwhile, Albies's recovery timeline will be closely monitored to hopefully bring him back into action for the latter part of the season.
The Braves have navigated injuries before, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. However, this period will test their depth and resolve more than ever. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on how the Brave's pitching staff and lineup adjust to these significant absences, aiming to secure their place in the postseason.