In a blow to the Atlanta Braves' pitching rotation, All-Star pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the injured list due to left forearm neuritis. Fried experienced discomfort while warming up for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, leading to his current condition.
"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 said, reflecting on the incident.
The Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors to fill Fried’s void on the mound. Despite the setback, the news of Fried’s injury comes with a silver lining; tests revealed no structural damage, suggesting a sooner-than-later return.
"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 elaborated.
Fried’s performance this season has been stellar, boasting a record of 7-5, a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings. He was also the runner-up for the Cy Young award last year, further underscoring his value to the Braves.
Unfortunately, Fried is not the only Braves player facing injury issues. Second baseman Ozzie Albies also finds himself on the injured list after suffering a hand and wrist injury during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. This injury marks the second time Albies has been sidelined this season, having previously missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture.
Head coach Brian Snitker provided a straightforward update on Albies' condition: "It's not good."
Before his injury, Albies had a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games. His absence will be keenly felt both at bat and in the field, adding to the Braves’ current injury woes.
Despite these challenges, the Braves continue to hold the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a record of 54-44. They will lean heavily on pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, Dylan Dodd, and Spencer Schwellenbach to navigate through this turbulent period.
Adding to the Braves' intricate web of injuries, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider have also faced their own setbacks. Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, while Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, testing the team’s depth and resilience.
Forearm neuritis, the condition plaguing Fried, involves the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. Although uncomfortable, it is not always a major cause for concern if addressed correctly—a fortunate scenario for the Braves, given Fried’s prognosis of no structural damage.
As the Braves endeavor to maintain their position and momentum in the league, the management and fans alike will keep their fingers crossed for timely recoveries of their key players. Meanwhile, the team’s depth and adaptability will be put to the ultimate test.