The Atlanta Braves' pitching rotation has taken a significant hit as All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried first felt discomfort while warming up for Tuesday's All-Star Game, which led to the current situation.
“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 recounted.
Despite hoping the discomfort would dissipate, the pain persisted. “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,” Fried explained. Fortunately, tests have shown no structural damage, just an irritated sensory nerve. “Just going to let it calm down and hopefully be back soon,” he added.
Braves Call Up Dylan Dodd
To cover Fried's absence, the Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. Dodd will be a crucial addition as the Braves navigate this period without one of their top pitchers. Fried, who was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award in 2022, holds a 7-5 record for the season with a respectable 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and an impressive 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings.
More Injury Troubles for the Braves
The Braves are also dealing with another key injury. Second baseman Ozzie Albies sustained a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game and is heading to the injured list as well. Manager Brian Snitker concisely summarized the severity of Albies's condition: “It’s not good.”
Before his injury, Albies managed a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games this season. He had already missed ten days in April due to a toe fracture, and his current injury adds to the Braves' mounting challenges.
The Road Ahead
Despite these setbacks, the Braves remain in a relatively strong position. They currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a 54-44 record. However, these injuries to key players will test their depth and resilience as they push towards the postseason.
The pitching staff will now rely heavily on Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Dylan Dodd, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach to shoulder the load. This situation isn’t new for the Braves, who have navigated significant injuries in recent years. Notably, star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, and pitcher Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024.
While forearm neuritis, which involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve, is a concern, the absence of structural damage in Fried’s tests offers some relief. The Braves' medical team will focus on allowing his nerve to calm down while keeping him on a path to recovery.
The Braves have demonstrated their organizational depth and resilience over the years, qualities that will be tested once again. As they march towards the latter part of the season, the hope within the team and its fanbase will be that these key players can recover swiftly and contribute to a successful playoff run.