Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is on the cusp of making a highly anticipated return to the lineup before the end of September, aiming to be back in action before the 29th. However, his comeback comes with a caveat: Albies will be restricted to batting right-handed due to a fractured left wrist that has plagued him since July 21.
Albies has not appeared at the big-league level for over two months, and his wrist injury continues to cause discomfort when he attempts to swing from the left side. This limitation doesn’t seem to daunt Albies, who has a stellar career on the right side of the plate. With a career OPS of .947 from the right, compared to .738 from the left, his right-handed performance remains formidable.
"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," Albies expressed, signaling his eagerness to rejoin his teammates while emphasizing his commitment to being fully prepared.
Performance and Impact
Before his deactivation, Albies was compiling respectable numbers for the season. In 90 games, he was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. His contributions were valued at an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement, reinforcing his importance to the team's success.
During Albies' absence, Whit Merrifield has stepped in admirably, hitting .269/.374/.370 in 36 games with Atlanta. Merrifield, who joined the Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has provided solid coverage at second base, although the Braves unquestionably miss Albies' presence both offensively and defensively.
Braves' Wild-Card Pursuit
The Braves are currently leading the National League wild-card race by a narrow margin of half a game over the New York Mets. As the season approaches its climax, every game grows in significance, and the return of Albies could provide a timely boost for the Braves in their playoff push.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Albies' return, Braves manager Brian Snitker has been relatively quiet on the matter. "We haven't talked about it yet," Snitker stated, maintaining an element of cautious optimism and perhaps a strategic edge heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Albies' ability to bat right-handed exclusively may present new challenges and opportunities for both the player and the team. While it limits his versatility, his historical performance from the right side offers a level of consistency that the Braves can rely on as they fight to maintain their position in the wild-card race.
As fans and teammates await Albies' return, the focus remains on his readiness and the sustainable impact he can bring to the team. High expectations accompany Albies, but his history and determination suggest that he will rise to the occasion, even with his adapted approach at the plate.
For now, the Braves will continue to lean on the contributions of players like Merrifield, while preparing for the potential uplift that Albies' return could provide. Both Albies and the Braves are eyeing a promising finish to the regular season, one that they hope will carry them deep into the postseason.