After an extended absence that began on July 21, Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is eager to make his return to the lineup. The All-Star plans to be back before September 29, although his return comes with limitations due to ongoing issues with his fractured left wrist.
This injury has forced Albies to bat exclusively from the right side, a significant adjustment for a switch-hitter like himself. The decision to limit his at-bats to right-handed hitting stems from the discomfort he continues to experience when swinging from the left. Despite this restriction, there's a silver lining for the Braves; Albies possesses a notable .947 career OPS from the right side compared to .738 from the left. This statistic provides some reassurance that his impact at the plate won't be drastically diminished.
Over his career, Albies has been a consistent contributor to the Braves' offense. Before being sidelined, he was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases across 90 games. His contributions have been valued at an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement, underscoring his importance to the team's success.
Reflecting on his anticipated return, Albies shared, "Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back. I want to make sure I can just check the boxes that need to be checked to be 100% ready to play, and that's it." His focus remains on ensuring he is fully prepared to contribute rather than rushing back prematurely.
During Albies' absence, Whit Merrifield has stepped in to fill the void. Merrifield, who joined the Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has held his own, posting a respectable .269/.374/.370 in 36 games with Atlanta. His steady performances have helped the Braves maintain their edge in the tight National League wild-card race. Currently, the Braves are leading the race by half a game over the New York Mets.
However, the return of Albies is highly anticipated by both the team and fans, adding depth and experience to the Braves' roster as they push towards the postseason. Manager Brian Snitker has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Albies' reintegration into the lineup, stating, "We haven't talked about it yet." This leaves room for speculation on how the team will manage his playing time and whether Merrifield might continue to see occasional starts.
The Braves' path to the playoffs has been fraught with challenges, yet the potential return of Albies injects a sense of optimism. His presence on the field, coupled with his right-handed proficiency, is seen as a crucial element in the Braves' bid to solidify their playoff position. As the regular season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Albies to see if he can reignite the spark that has driven Atlanta's success in past seasons.