The Atlanta Braves have been hit with a double dose of bad news, placing All-Star pitcher Max Fried and second baseman Ozzie Albies on the injured list as the team battles for a postseason berth.
Max Fried's Injury
Max Fried, one of the league's standout pitchers and the runner-up for the 2022 Cy Young award, has been sidelined with left forearm neuritis. Fried first felt discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Despite trying to push through the sensation, it became apparent that this was not a minor issue.
"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 explained.
However, the 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," said Fried.
To fill the void left by Fried, the Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. Fried's presence on the mound has been substantial this season, boasting a 7-5 record with a solid 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts in 108 innings. The hope is that Fried's neuritis will subside quickly, allowing him to return to his role as one of the team's anchors.
Ozzie Albies' Setback
Adding to the Braves' woes, second baseman Ozzie Albies also heads to the injured list following a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies, who has already missed time this season due to a toe fracture in April, had been slashing .255/.308/.403 with eight home runs over 89 games before his latest setback.
Reflecting on Albies' condition, Braves manager Brian Snitker succinctly remarked, "It's not good."
Albies' absence will be keenly felt as the Braves have relied heavily on his dynamic presence both at the plate and on the field. His injuries have been a frustrating pattern this season, and the Braves will hope for a speedy recovery to bolster their infield depth.
Bracing for Challenges
Despite these setbacks, the Braves hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a commendable 54-44 record. The team, however, has had its share of injury troubles. Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, while pitcher Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, adding to the list of significant absences.
With their top talents dealing with injuries, the Braves will depend on a mix of experienced and emerging pitchers, including Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach. This ensemble will need to step up in Fried's absence to navigate the challenging weeks ahead.
Forearm neuritis, Fried’s specific diagnosis, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, but his tests have fortunately shown no structural damage. This detail provides a glimmer of hope that with proper rest and rehabilitation, Fried might resume his critical role sooner rather than later.
The future for the Braves will hinge significantly on how quickly their recuperating stars can return to action and how well the rest of the roster can sustain their push towards the postseason. For now, it’s a period of adjustment and resilience for a team with championship aspirations.