The Atlanta Braves find themselves in a challenging situation as they placed All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. The discomfort surfaced while Fried was warming up for the All-Star Game, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory occasion.
"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," explained Fried. Despite initial hopes that the discomfort would dissipate, it 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."
The Braves have responded to Fried's absence by calling up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. As Fried recuperates, his impressive stats will certainly be missed. This season, Fried has recorded a 7-5 win-loss with a 3.08 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings. Notably, Fried was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, underscoring his pivotal role in the team's success.
Injuries Hit Braves Hard
The news gets worse for the Braves as 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' condition has left the team concerned, with manager Brian Snitker bluntly summarizing, "It's not good."
Before his injury, Albies was having a solid season with a .255/.308/.403 line and eight home runs in 89 games. This setback is his second of the season, having missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Braves' lineup, one that won’t be easily filled as the team strives to maintain its top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record.
Pitching Staff Adjustments
In Fried’s absence, the Braves will rely heavily on a pitching rotation that includes Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, along with the newly recalled Dodd, veteran Charlie Morton, and promising talent Spencer Schwellenbach. This group will need to step up as the team navigates through this injury-plagued period.
Fried's injury, classified as forearm neuritis, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. Fortunately, tests have shown no structural damage, providing hope for a relatively swift return once the sensory nerve irritation subsides. Meanwhile, the Braves’ performance on the field will be under scrutiny as they adjust to these significant roster changes.
Adding to their history of injuries, Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, while Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. These past injuries have tested the resilience and depth of the Braves, and the current setbacks with Fried and Albies are no different.
The next few weeks will be critical as the Braves work to maintain their competitive edge in the National League. While injuries are an inevitable part of the game, how a team responds can define their season. For the Braves, the hope is that their collective strength and depth will see them through this latest challenge.