Just a few hours after placing pitcher Max Fried on the 15-day injured list, the Atlanta Braves suffered yet another blow to their everyday lineup. Second baseman Ozzie Albies sustained a fractured left wrist during Sunday’s matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals and the team announced he’s expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks.
Albies left the game in the ninth inning after suffering an apparent left wrist injury while attempting to tag out Michael Siani on the basepaths.
Ozzie Albies exits today’s game against the Cardinals in the ninth inning following this play at second base ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kANpteaAlz
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 21, 2024
Following the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker said “it’s not good,” while informing reporters that Albies would go on the injured list. X-rays had not yet determined the seriousness of his condition, but eventually confirmed Snitker’s dire prognosis.
Albies, 27, is batting .258 with a .717 OPS, 28 doubles, eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight stolen bases in 90 games (394 plate appearances) this season.
With only Zack Short on the roster as a backup infielder, shortstop Nacho Alvarez is expected to be called up from Double-A Mississippi. He’s batting .265 with a .693 OPS, but is rated as above average defensively. MLB.com ranks Alvarez as Atlanta’s No. 5 prospect.
The Braves are expected to bring Nacho Alvarez up to replace Ozzie Albies (left wrist) tomorrow. Alvarez has primarily played short, but his athleticism and instincts should allow him to make a quick transition to the second base position
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 21, 2024
Replacing Albies could now become an urgent priority for the Braves as the July 30 MLB trade deadline approaches. If so, Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is likely at the top of their shopping list. Brendan Rodgers of the Colorado Rockies is another possibility.
Orlando Arcia is expected to remain as Atlanta’s everyday shortstop with few viable trade candidates expected to be available.
Injury news on Max Fried is more optimistic
For Fried, the plan is to shut him down until his forearm neuritis subsides, then have him resume throwing again. Forearm neuritis is nerve inflammation rather than damage to ligaments, tendons or muscles, which is presumably a reason for optimism.
This isn’t expected to be as serious as the season-ending injuries to pitcher Spencer Strider, who required Tommy John surgery, and National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. (torn ACL). Outfielder Michael Harris II is also still on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.
Atlanta faces a tough decision with Fried’s IL stint running past MLB’s July 30 trade deadline — especially if he hasn’t recovered as hoped. Will the Braves pursue pitchers like Garrett Crochet, Jack Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi, Zach Eflin or Tarik Skubal now?
If Albies needs to be replaced, that could be a far more urgent priority with Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely at the top of a shopping list.
Max Fried felt discomfort during the MLB All-Star Game
Fried, 30, appeared in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, throwing 10 pitches in a scoreless inning. Snitker told reporters that Fried felt something in his forearm while warming up with arm circles but didn’t say anything. He underwent an MRI exam on Friday after telling the team that he was feeling discomfort.
“He felt it when he was doing arm circles before he pitched at the All-Star Game.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker discusses the Max Fried injury news 🔊 pic.twitter.com/nTD66vRLT4
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) July 21, 2024
“I don’t think he thought it was enough to not [pitch],” Snitker said and later clarified that he doesn’t feel pitching in the All-Star Game caused the injury.
“It could have been something that probably would have been worse if he had gone out [Sunday], did that and felt it warming up in the bullpen,” he added.
Left-hander Dylan Dodd was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Fried’s roster spot. In 17 appearances (15 starts), he’s compiled a 4.99 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 83 innings.
The Braves clarified that Fried is not suffering from ulnar neuritis, in which the ulnar nerve in the elbow (or wrist) is irritated or compressed and considered a more serious condition, according to O’Brien.
In 18 starts this season, Fried has a 3.08 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 108 innings. His innings total is second-highest among Braves starters, behind Chris Sale’s 110 frames. Last year, Fried made only 14 starts while limited by a blister issue with his finger and a hamstring strain.
Atlanta currently holds second place in the NL East with a 54–44 record, 8 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves have the first wild-card playoff slot with a four-game lead over five other clubs behind them in the standings.
