The Atlanta Braves are navigating significant challenges this midseason as injuries impact key players on their roster. In a double blow, All-Star pitcher Max Fried and second baseman Ozzie Albies have been placed on the injured list, forcing the Braves to adapt while maintaining their competitive edge in the National League.
Max Fried Hits the Injured List
Max Fried, who has been a cornerstone of the Braves' pitching staff, has been sidelined due to left forearm neuritis. Fried first experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday's All-Star Game. Despite initially dismissing the sensations as minor, Fried soon realized the issue was more severe.
"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 commented.
The following day, with symptoms persisting, Fried opted to address the situation. "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 reacted swiftly, calling up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill Fried's spot. Fried, a runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, boasts a season record of 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts versus 34 walks over 108 innings. Fortunately for the Braves, tests revealed no structural damage, providing hope for a timely recovery.
Ozzie Albies's Struggles Continue
In addition to Fried's setback, the Braves also faced the loss of second baseman Ozzie Albies, who sustained a hand and wrist injury in the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies’s condition prompted a straightforward assessment from Braves manager Brian Snitker: "It's not good."
Before this latest injury, Albies was maintaining a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season. This marks another unfortunate chapter in Albies's season, as he previously missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture.
Braves' Current Standings and Outlook
Despite these injuries, the Braves have maintained a strong performance. Holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record, the team is determined to push through these challenges. The roster depth, including talents like Ronald Acuña Jr., who tore his ACL in 2023, and Spencer Strider, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, underscores the resilience this team has shown.
The pitching staff will need to adjust in the absence of Fried and Albies. The Braves will lean on a mixture of veterans and younger talents, including pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach, alongside the newly elevated Dylan Dodd.
Forearm neuritis, the condition currently affecting Fried, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, a non-structural but nonetheless impactful issue for pitchers. The Braves and their fans are hopeful that with rest and proper care, Fried can make a swift return to the mound.
As the Braves strive to maintain their contention status, the resilience and adaptability of their roster will be paramount. All eyes will remain on how effectively they can navigate these setbacks and continue their bid for postseason success.