In a significant blow to their pitching rotation, the Atlanta Braves have placed All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for the All-Star Game on Tuesday, a game he did not ultimately participate in due to the injury.
The team quickly moved to call up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill Fried’s absence. The Braves are undoubtedly hoping for a swift recovery as Fried has been one of their standout performers this season. He boasts a commendable record of 7-5, with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks over 108 innings. Fried's consistency and skill were further underscored by his runner-up finish for the Cy Young award in 2022.
Fried’s Perspective
Reflecting on the incident, Fried detailed his experience leading up to the 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. Didn't feel like I was in any jeopardy of really hurting myself," he said.
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," Fried added.
Fortunately for Fried and the Braves, examinations revealed no structural damage to his arm, indicating that this might be a temporary setback rather than a season-threatening injury.
Albies Also Sidelined
Adding to the Braves' woes, second baseman Ozzie Albies also finds himself heading to the injured list. Albies suffered a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Manager Brian Snitker’s straightforward comment on Albies’s condition was succinct: "It's not good."
Albies had been maintaining a solid, though not spectacular, performance this season, evidenced by his .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games. This recent injury marks another spell on the sidelines for the second baseman, who also missed ten days in April due to a toe fracture.
Challenges and Adjustments
The injuries to Fried and Albies present significant challenges for a Braves team that currently holds the top Wild Card spot in the National League, sporting a 54-44 record. The team will need to rely heavily on their depth to stay competitive in the highly contested playoff race.
With Fried out, the Braves' pitching responsibilities will fall on a combination of veterans and young talents. Pitchers like Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Dylan Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach are expected to step up during this critical period. The absence of key pitchers like Fried, who has been so reliable, can disrupt the fluidity of a team’s performance.
The Braves have had their share of adversity in recent times. Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, a significant loss to their offensive power. Furthermore, Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, another critical blow to the pitching roster.
What Lies Ahead
Forearm neuritis, the condition Fried is dealing with, involves irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. While it sounds alarming, the fact that Fried's tests showed no structural damage is a silver lining. Recovery will require time and patience, and the Braves will hope that adequate rest will see Fried return to fortify the rotation soon.
The Braves, a team that has already demonstrated resilience in the face of injuries, will look to their depth and adaptability as they navigate these latest setbacks. The resilience of seasoned players and the rising talent from the minors will be crucial in sustaining their season's momentum. As always in baseball, it’s a game of adjustments, and the Braves are now tasked with adjusting on the fly as they aim for postseason success.
In the grand arena of baseball, injuries are an unfortunate yet inevitable part of the game. How a team responds often defines their season. The Braves have the talent, but their journey over the coming weeks will test their depth, determination, and the mettle of their players and staff.