Max Fried Placed on Injured List with Left Forearm Neuritis
The Atlanta Braves have announced that 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, sparking concerns about his availability.
"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 explained.
Despite initial dismissal of the pain, the sensation persisted, leading Fried to seek further medical evaluation. "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," he added.
The diagnosis has brought a sigh of relief as tests confirmed no structural damage. Nonetheless, Fried will need time to recover, creating a gap in the Braves' pitching roster. Fried boasts a solid season record of 7-5, with a 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts against 34 walks in 108 innings, underscoring his critical role in the team's success. Fried was also the runner-up for the prestigious Cy Young award in 2022.
To account for Fried’s absence, the Braves have called up left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the minors. Dodd, along with pitchers Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach, will step up to fill the void.
Ozzie Albies Heads to Injured List
In a separate blow to the Braves, second baseman Ozzie Albies has been sidelined with a hand and wrist injury sustained during the ninth inning of Sunday's game. "It's not good," said Braves manager Brian Snitker, hinting at the severity of Albies's condition.
Albies, who has dealt with his share of injuries this season, had a .255/.308/.403 line with eight home runs in 89 games before this latest setback. He previously missed 10 days in April due to a toe fracture. Despite these challenges, Albies has remained a key contributor to the Braves' lineup.
Braves' Recent Challenges
This is not the first time the Braves have faced significant injuries. Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL in 2023, and pitcher Spencer Strider underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. Despite these adversities, the Braves have continued to perform strongly, currently holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League with a commendable 54-44 record.
As the Braves navigate these latest injuries, the team will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the resilience that has carried them through past seasons. The road ahead may be challenging, but the Braves have demonstrated their ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity.