The Atlanta Braves face a challenging stretch as they place All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. This unexpected development arose as Fried felt discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Faced with the sudden absence of their ace, the Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill the void.
Max Fried's Ordeal
Fried, who boasts a season record of 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts in 108 innings, described the moment of his injury: "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." Unfortunately, the discomfort persisted despite taking a day off and traveling 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 elaborated.
Challenges Continue with Ozzie Albies
In addition to Fried’s ailment, the Braves are also dealing with the loss of second baseman Ozzie Albies, who suffered a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. Albies, who has a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season, will also be heading to the injured list. Albies's injury is a severe blow to the Braves, as manager Brian Snitker succinctly put it: "It's not good.” This marks a tough streak for Albies, who had already missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture.
Braves' Wild Card Stand
Despite these setbacks, the Braves hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a solid 54-44 record. The team’s depth will be tested as they navigate these challenges, relying on their remaining pitchers, including Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, Spencer Schwellenbach, and now Dylan Dodd.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Fried’s current situation, involving forearm neuritis, thankfully, shows no structural damage based on his tests. This condition involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. As Fried recovers, the Braves can find some solace in the fact that the injury does not appear to be career-threatening. Notably, Fried was the runner-up for the Cy Young award in 2022, highlighting his critical importance to the Braves' rotation.
The team has endured significant injury losses this season, with Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL in 2023 and Spencer Strider undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024. The resilience of the Braves will be crucial as they aim to maintain their postseason aspirations amid these adversities.
As the Braves continue their season, the health and quick recovery of Fried and Albies will be pivotal. The team and its fans will hope that Fried’s sensory nerve irritation subsides quickly, allowing him to return to form. Similarly, Albies's injury status will be closely monitored as the Braves look to keep their competitive edge in the tightly contested National League.
While challenges abound, the Braves’ ability to overcome adversity will define their journey forward. With a strategic recall like Dylan Dodd and experienced leadership, they aim to stay resilient, maintaining their position in the Wild Card race and beyond.