The Atlanta Braves have suffered a significant blow to their pitching roster as they placed All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. This development traces back to discomfort Fried experienced while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. The Braves, in an effort to compensate for his absence, have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors.
Fried, one of the cornerstones of the Braves' pitching staff, has delivered impressive numbers this season, boasting a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks over 108 innings. Known for his skill and consistency, Fried was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, a testament to his remarkable prowess on the mound.
Reflecting on his injury, Fried shared, "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." Despite initial hopes that the sensation would subside, Fried continued to feel discomfort. "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," he explained.
In addition to Fried's setback, the Braves face another challenge as second baseman Ozzie Albies heads to the injured list following a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies, a pivotal player for the Braves, had amassed a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season before his injury. This marks Albies' second stint on the injured list this season, having missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture. Manager Brian Snitker summed up the situation succinctly, stating, "It's not good."
The Braves, currently holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record, are now tasked with adjusting their strategy to continue their competitive edge. The pitching rotation will see contributions from Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, Spencer Schwellenbach, and the newly called-up Dylan Dodd. This group will need to step up in Fried's absence to maintain the Braves' strong standing.
As the team navigates these injuries, Fried's situation draws particular concern. Forearm neuritis, involving irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, can be a challenging condition for pitchers. However, the positive news from Fried’s tests showing no structural damage offers some reassurance regarding his recovery prospects. The primary focus remains on managing the sensory nerve irritation to ensure a swift and complete return to health.
The Braves' resilience in the face of adversity will be put to the test in the coming weeks. Key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider have also faced significant injuries over the past seasons, with Acuña tearing his ACL in 2023 and Strider undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. This pattern of injuries underscores the importance of depth and adaptability within the team's roster.
Despite the challenges, the Braves' management and fans remain hopeful. The collective strength of the roster and the leadership from the dugout aim to keep the team's playoff aspirations alive and progressing. The coming games will be crucial as the Braves seek to navigate this latest round of setbacks and continue their pursuit of postseason success.