The Atlanta Braves have been dealt a tough hand with their recent spate of injuries to key players. Max Fried, the All-Star pitcher, has been placed on the injured list with left forearm neuritis, a condition that involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, prompting the Braves to take a cautious approach with their star pitcher.
Fried's Statement
Fried described the situation in detail, sharing, "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." Unfortunately, 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," Fried added.
Impact on the Braves' Rotation
Given Fried's impressive season record of 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, his absence will undeniably be felt. To offset Fried’s absence, the Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. The reliance on Dodd and a combination of Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach will be critical for the Braves as they navigate this challenging period.
Fried, who was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, has characterized the 2023 season with consistent performances, making his placement on the injured list a significant blow to the team's pitching arsenal.
Ozzie Albies's Misfortune
The Braves' injury woes don't end with Fried. Second baseman Ozzie Albies is also heading to the injured list after suffering a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies's injury compounds the difficulties for the Braves, who will miss his contribution on both offense and defense.
Albies has posted a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season and previously missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture. Manager Brian Snitker succinctly summarized the team's sentiments, stating, "It's not good," regarding Albies's condition.
Braves' Current Standings
Despite these setbacks, the Braves hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record, illustrating their resilience and competitive edge. The team has faced adversity before, evident in Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ACL tear in 2023 and Spencer Strider's Tommy John surgery in 2024, yet they've consistently found ways to adapt and remain in contention.
As the Braves look ahead, the challenges posed by these key injuries demand a collective effort from both seasoned veterans and emerging talents. The team's ability to integrate players like Dylan Dodd seamlessly while relying on established pitchers will be pivotal for maintaining their current standing.
While the specifics of Fried's recovery timeline remain uncertain, the assurance that there is no structural damage offers a glimmer of hope. If all goes well and his sensory nerve irritation subsides, Braves fans might see their ace back on the mound sooner rather than later.
The road ahead for the Braves is undoubtedly steep, but their track record of overcoming obstacles suggests they have the tenacity and depth to navigate this tumultuous period with determination and skill.