The Atlanta Braves face a challenging period as they place their All-Star pitcher Max Fried on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, a moment that set off a series of concerns for the team and its fans.
"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 his initial dismissal, it became apparent that the discomfort was not subsiding as he hoped.
The Braves, acting promptly, called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill in for Fried. This strategic move emphasizes the depth and resilience the team has built within its pitching rotation. Fried's season has seen him accumulate a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks over 108 innings. Given this strong performance, his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
“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 noted, offering a mix of reassurance and uncertainty about his return.
This setback is exacerbated by the team also placing second baseman Ozzie Albies on the injured list due to a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday’s game. Albies, who had already missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture, had been delivering a solid performance with a .255/.308/.403 line and eight home runs across 89 games this season.
When asked about Albies’s condition, Braves manager Brian Snitker succinctly remarked, "It's not good." This candid comment underlines the gravity of Albies’s injury and the impact his absence could have on the team's dynamics.
Despite these setbacks, the Braves are maintaining their competitive edge, holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record. The team will need to rely on the combined efforts of pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Dylan Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach to navigate through this challenging period.
The Braves have faced substantial adversity with key injuries in recent years. Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ACL tear in 2023 and Spencer Strider’s Tommy John surgery in 2024 have tested the team's resilience. Yet, they have consistently found ways to adapt and remain competitive.
Forearm neuritis, the condition affecting Fried, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. Fortunately, tests revealed no structural damage, a silver lining in what otherwise might have been a more concerning diagnosis. Allowing Fried time to recover fully will be crucial, especially given his pivotal role in the team’s success this season.
Ultimately, these injuries spotlight the unpredictable nature of sports and the necessity for depth in a team roster. The Braves, through strategic player development and acquisitions, have placed themselves in a position to manage such adversities effectively. However, the path ahead will require grit and collective effort from all players and coaching staff.
As the Braves navigate these testing times, fans remain hopeful for a swift recovery for both Fried and Albies, knowing their return is essential for a strong push in the latter half of the season.