The Atlanta Braves have encountered a significant setback with the recent announcement that All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried, who felt discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, has remained optimistic about the nature of his injury.
"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," Fried said. "Didn't feel like I was in any jeopardy of really hurting myself."
The Braves, aiming to mitigate Fried’s absence, called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. Dodd will join a pitching roster that already relies on Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach. Fried’s tests have thankfully shown no structural damage, pointing to an irritation of the ulnar nerve rather than something more severe.
Fried, with a season record of 7-5, a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, has been a pivotal figure for the Braves. His runner-up position for the Cy Young award in 2022 further underscores his value to the team. According to Fried, "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."
Ozzie Albies Also Hits the Injured List
In another blow to the Braves, second baseman Ozzie Albies is heading to the injured list after suffering a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies, who has had a season marked by resilience, had already missed ten days in April due to a toe fracture. His contributions have been significant, evidenced by a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season.
Braves manager Brian Snitker was succinct but clear about the severity of Albies's condition: "It's not good."
Braves Battle Injuries Amidst Playoff Push
These injuries come at a crucial juncture for the Braves, who currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record. The team has faced its fair share of adversity in recent years, with Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL in 2023 and Spencer Strider undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. Despite these challenges, the Braves have managed to remain competitive.
The team will now look to its depth and resilience to navigate the coming weeks. With Dylan Dodd stepping up to fill the void left by Fried and the versatile Braves roster adjusting to Albies's absence, fans and management alike will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for their injured stars.
As the season progresses, the Braves must continue to draw upon their strength and strategic play to maintain their strong position in the National League. Whether Fried and Albies can return to propel the Braves deeper into the postseason remains to be seen, but their contributions thus far have set a formidable foundation for the team's aspirations.