Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, who has been sidelined since July 21 due to a fractured left wrist, is planning his return to the lineup before September 29. However, the injury continues to impact his performance, as he will be restricted to batting right-handed upon his return. This decision comes as Albies experiences discomfort when swinging from the left side, where his wrist remains vulnerable.
The two-time All-Star has been a key player for the Braves, and his absence over the past two months has been deeply felt. Prior to his injury, Albies was batting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in 90 games. His contributions were valued at an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement, underlining his significance to the team both offensively and defensively.
Albies, who boasts a career OPS of .947 from the right side compared to .738 from the left, has been diligently working towards a full recovery. “Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back,” Albies said. “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.”
The Braves, in a tightly contested National League wild-card race, are leading by a narrow margin of half a game over the New York Mets. The urgency for Albies’ return is evident as the team contests for a postseason berth. In Albies’ absence, Whit Merrifield has stepped in as the interim second baseman. Merrifield, who joined the Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has produced a solid performance, hitting .269/.374/.370 in 36 games with Atlanta.
Merrifield’s contributions have certainly been valuable, but the anticipation of Albies' return remains high among the Braves' roster. With the stakes climbing towards the end of the season, Albies' presence could provide a significant boost. Head Coach Brian Snitker has kept details about Albies' return sparse, stating only, "We haven't talked about it yet."
As Albies continues his recovery process, the Braves are hopeful that his return will bring the additional firepower needed to maintain their lead and secure a spot in the postseason. Albies’ determination to return stronger and fully prepared speaks to his commitment and the integral role he plays within the team dynamics.
With less than a month before his anticipated return, Albies is focused on ensuring that he meets all necessary recovery milestones. The Braves’ faithful and his teammates eagerly await the return of one of their most reliable and dynamic players, hoping that his comeback will coincide with a strong push towards playoff success.
The road to recovery for Albies has been long and challenging, but his imminent return is a beacon of hope for the Braves as they vie for postseason glory. His right-handed prowess promises to add a crucial dimension to the Braves' lineup, offering both experience and excellence at a critical juncture of the season.