Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, sidelined since July 21 with a fractured left wrist, is eyeing a return to the lineup before September 29. Albies will be restricted to batting right-handed due to the ongoing discomfort in his left wrist, particularly when swinging from the left side. Despite these limitations, the Braves and Albies himself are optimistic about his impending return.
Albies' Impact on the Braves
Before his injury, Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in 90 games. His contributions to the Braves were significant, translating to an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). The team has felt his absence over the past two months, particularly as they navigate a tightly contested National League wild-card race. Currently, the Braves hold a precarious half-game lead over the New York Mets.
Albies' Adaptation to Right-Handed Batting
Despite the fracture in his left wrist, Albies has a promising history batting from the right side. His career OPS from the right side stands at an impressive .947, compared to a .738 OPS from the left. With such a disparity, focusing on right-handed batting could potentially minimize the impact of his injury on his performance.
Reflecting on his upcoming return, Albies stated, "Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back. 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."
Whit Merrifield's Contribution
In Albies' absence, Whit Merrifield has stepped in as the primary second baseman. Merrifield, who joined the Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has posted a respectable .269/.374/.370 in his 36 games with Atlanta. While Merrifield has been a valuable interim replacement, the team clearly anticipates Albies' return for the final push of the season.
The Manager's Perspective
Manager Brian Snitker has remained relatively tight-lipped regarding Albies' return. When asked about the situation, he remarked, "We haven't talked about it yet." Snitker's reticence could be a strategic decision, as the Braves aim to manage expectations and not rush Albies back before he is ready.
The Road Ahead
As the Braves continue their playoff push, the return of Ozzie Albies could provide a significant boost both offensively and defensively. His proven ability to contribute, even with the limitation of batting exclusively right-handed, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. For now, the team remains focused on maintaining their narrow lead in the wild-card race while ensuring Albies makes a full and effective return.