The Atlanta Braves received a significant blow to their pitching rotation as All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, a moment that has since led to his temporary sidelining.
“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,” Fried explained. Despite the initial optimism that everything might be fine, the discomfort persisted. Fried continued, “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's contributions to the Braves this season have been significant. He holds a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and has struck out 95 against 34 walks over 108 innings. The Braves, who currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record, will undoubtedly feel his absence. With Fried on the mend, left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd has been called up from the minors to fill the gap in the rotation.
Injuries Pile Up
Fried’s injury is only one of the challenges the Braves are currently facing. Second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday’s game, and he too is heading to the injured list. The news about Albies was delivered with a tone of concern by Braves manager Brian Snitker, who simply stated, "It's not good."
Before his injury, Albies was producing a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs across 89 games this season. His performance had been stable despite him missing ten days in April due to a toe fracture. Losing Albies at this juncture is a setback for the team as they strive to maintain their lead in the Wild Card race.
Depth Tested
These injuries test the depth and resilience of the Braves’ roster. The team will be relying on pitchers like Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, along with Dylan Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach, to keep their momentum steady amidst these setbacks. Moreover, the team’s history of overcoming injuries provides a glimmer of hope for fans. For instance, Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, and Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, but the Braves have managed to stay competitive through such adversities.
Max Fried’s tests have shown no structural damage, which is a positive sign. Forearm neuritis, which involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, can be managed with rest and treatment. The Braves will be closely monitoring his progress, hoping for his swift return to the mound.
The collective resilience of the Braves will be tested in the coming weeks. With pivotal players sidelined, the performances of call-ups and backups will be under the spotlight. The franchise’s ability to adapt and overcome will be crucial as the playoff race intensifies.
As the Braves navigate these challenges, the fans and the team hope for speedy recoveries for their injured stars. The contributions of Fried and Albies have been instrumental in their season thus far, and their absence will be deeply felt. However, the depth of talent in the organization provides a foundation of hope that they can weather this storm and emerge even stronger.