The Atlanta Braves are eagerly anticipating the return of their star second baseman, Ozzie Albies, who aims to rejoin the lineup before September 29. Sidelined since July 21 due to a fractured left wrist, Albies' presence has been sorely missed as the Braves battle for playoff positioning.
Right-Handed Only
Though Albies plans to step back onto the field soon, he will be limited to batting right-handed because of the lingering discomfort from his injured wrist. Albies' left wrist continues to cause pain when he swings from the left side, a situation that has undoubtedly affected his usual switch-hitting prowess.
"Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back," Albies said, highlighting his eagerness to return. "I want to make sure I can just check the boxes that need to be checked to be 100% ready to play, and that's it."
Proven Performance
Albies has demonstrated a marked difference in performance when batting from the right side compared to the left. Boasting an impressive career OPS of .947 from the right, Albies far outshines his left-side OPS of .738. This disparity underscores why even a limited return focusing on his right-handed at-bats is considered a significant boost for the Braves.
Before his injury, Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs over 90 games, demonstrating his significant impact on the field. His contributions were also valued at an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), quantifying his all-around value to the Braves' lineup.
Stepping In
During Albies’ absence, Whit Merrifield has admirably filled the void, hitting .269/.374/.370 in 36 games with the Braves. Merrifield, who joined Atlanta after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has proven to be a reliable replacement. Despite his solid performance, Albies' return is highly anticipated for his leadership and higher offensive ceiling.
Playoff Push
The Braves are neck-and-neck in the National League wild-card race, leading by a narrow half-game margin over the New York Mets. Every game counts in this heated race, and having Albies back, even in a limited capacity, would provide a crucial advantage as the regular season winds down.
Manager's Input
Despite the buzz around Albies' imminent return, Braves manager Brian Snitker has remained cautious in his comments. "We haven't talked about it yet," Snitker said, keeping his cards close to his chest about the exact nature of Albies' return timetable.
With Albies eyeing a return before September 29, the Braves are hopeful that his right-handed power will strengthen their lineup. Albies' determination to "check the boxes that need to be checked" for a full comeback reflects his commitment to contributing meaningfully as the Braves chase postseason success.