Atlanta Braves Face Setbacks with Key Injuries
The Atlanta Braves have been hit with a significant setback as All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. The injury surfaced while Fried was warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, causing discomfort that raised alarm bells for the Braves' pitching staff.
Fried shared his experience, explaining, "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." Despite initial hopes that the discomfort would subside, it persisted, prompting further medical evaluation.
The Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill the void left by Fried. This season, Fried has posted a record of 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, solidifying his role as a key player for the team. Notably, Fried was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, underscoring his importance to the Braves’ pitching arsenal.
However, the Braves' woes don't end there. Second baseman Ozzie Albies has been sidelined with a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies is also heading to the injured list, further compounding the team's injury concerns. Commenting on Albies's condition, Braves manager Brian Snitker succinctly remarked, "It's not good."
Before his injury, Albies maintained a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season. Albies had also missed a brief period in April due to a toe fracture, making his current stint on the injured list another unwelcome interruption for the Braves.
Despite these setbacks, the Braves remain a formidable force in the National League, holding the top Wild Card spot with a 54-44 record. The team will now look to its other pitchers, including Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Dylan Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach, to step up in Fried’s absence. The Braves also have their eyes on Spencer Strider, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in 2024, and Ronald Acuña Jr., who tore his ACL in 2023.
Fried’s injury, forearm neuritis, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. The good news for Braves fans is that tests revealed no structural damage to Fried's arm. Offering reassurance, Fried explained, "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."
As the Braves navigate these challenges, the resilience of both the players and the coaching staff will be critical. The next few weeks will test the depth of their roster and their ability to maintain their standing in a competitive National League race.