The Atlanta Braves are facing a tough stretch with recent injuries to key players. All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. The ailment struck Fried unexpectedly as he was warming up for the All-Star Game, causing him discomfort. Despite initial hopes that it was nothing serious, further evaluation indicated he needed time off.
"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," Fried explained. "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."
After the All-Star Game, Fried attempted to continue his routine but noticed persistent discomfort. "Took the day off after the game to travel home. Came in, played catch and still was feeling it," Fried said. "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 called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill the void left by Fried. Fried has been a cornerstone of the Braves' rotation this season, boasting a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings. His presence on the mound will be sorely missed, particularly given his impressive runner-up finish for the Cy Young award last year.
In another blow, second baseman Ozzie Albies has also been sidelined, heading to the injured list with a hand and wrist injury suffered during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies has had a consistent season, maintaining a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games. He had already missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture, and now the Braves find themselves without one of their pivotal infielders once again.
Manager Brian Snitker succinctly summed up the situation regarding Albies: "It's not good."
These injuries come at a critical time as the Braves hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record. The team is poised for a playoff run, but they will need to navigate the coming weeks without two of their key contributors.
Despite the setbacks, the Braves have shown resilience. Ronald Acuña Jr. faced a severe injury, tearing his ACL in 2023, and Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. The roster adjustments mean greater reliance on pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, along with Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach to maintain momentum.
Forearm neuritis, the condition affecting Fried, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, but fortunately, his tests have shown no structural damage. This provides hope for a timely return, which would be crucial as the Braves strive to solidify their postseason standing.
With Albies and Fried out, the Braves will need to depend on their depth and the performance of their remaining healthy players. Challenging times lie ahead, but this season, the Braves have continually demonstrated their ability to confront and overcome adversity.