The Atlanta Braves face a challenging period ahead after placing All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried, who experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, felt something unusual during his routine.
“Before the All-Star Game, I was warming up like I normally do and doing some arm circles,” Fried explained. “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.”
Initially, Fried dismissed the discomfort but reconsidered after continued pain while playing catch. “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,” Fried stated. Subsequent tests revealed no structural damage, offering a sigh of relief for Braves fans. “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.”
Impact on the Braves' Rotation
The Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill the gap left by Fried’s absence. Fried, who boasts a season record of 7-5, with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, has been a crucial asset to the team. As the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, his performance has been paramount to the Braves’ success this season.
Without Fried, the Braves will lean heavily on pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach. Dodd’s call-up is seen as a temporary measure, but the team's management remains optimistic about Fried's swift return. Forearm neuritis involves irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, but with no structural damage found, Fried’s rehabilitation might be relatively quick.
Additional Injuries Plague the Braves
Adding to the woes, second baseman Ozzie Albies heads to the injured list with a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Manager Brian Snitker conveyed his concern succinctly: “It's not good.” Albies had a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season and had previously missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture.
The Braves' injured list reads like a litany of bad luck with Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL in 2023 and Spencer Strider undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. This latest string of injuries could test the team’s depth and resilience in the upcoming games.
Current Standing and Future Outlook
Despite these setbacks, the Braves hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record. This standing underscores the team's overall robustness, yet the challenge will be maintaining this position amidst the injuries.
Management’s decision to call up Dylan Dodd indicates a strategic pivot to ensure the team remains competitive. Alongside veterans like Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, the Braves are banking on a stable rotation to weather this storm. The next few games will be crucial in determining how well the team can adjust and whether they can sustain their current success in the National League.
In the dog days of summer, teams often face adversity, but the Braves have shown resilience before and will look to their bench strength to pull through. With Fried’s positive prognosis and Albies' timeline for recovery, the Braves might yet see their stars rejoin the fray soon.