The Braves introduced Sunday that left-hander Max Fried has been positioned on the 15-day injured listing, retroactive to July 18, with left forearm neuritis. Lefty Dylan Dodd was recalled in a corresponding transfer.
At this level, it’s unclear how important Fried’s harm is or when it occurred. His most up-to-date outing for Atlanta noticed him throw six innings towards the Diamondbacks on July 11. He was chosen to the Nationwide League All-Star group after which tossed a scoreless inning towards the American League in that recreation. Till he was positioned on the IL, there had been no public reporting that something was amiss.
Extra data will doubtless be forthcoming however this figures to be a major growth both means. Atlanta got here into this season with a entrance 5 in its rotation of Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton, Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez. Strider required UCL surgical procedure in April and is completed for the yr.
For so long as Fried is out, the membership will likely be right down to a rotation nucleus of Morton, Sale and Lopez, who’re every having nice years however with some lingering considerations. Sale has been incessantly injured in current seasons and his 110 innings thrown this yr are probably the most for him since 2019. Lopez began earlier in his profession however was moved to the bullpen a couple of years in the past. Atlanta has moved him again to the rotation with success however he has additionally thrown extra innings this yr than he has since 2019. Morton continues to seek out success however is now 40 years outdated and his strikeout charge is down for a 3rd straight yr.
Atlanta is at present 54-43 on the yr, 7.5 video games again of the Phillies within the East division however at present holding the highest wild-card spot. Given its rotation state of affairs, it was in all probability going to be on the lookout for upgrades earlier than the July 30 deadline however the search could now ramp up with this harm to Fried. Some potential commerce candidates embrace Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi, Garrett Crochet and lots of extra.
Within the meantime, the Braves must cobble issues collectively behind Morton, Sale and Lopez. Neither Hurston Waldrep nor Huascar Ynoa will be capable to assist out, as each of them are at present on the IL. Ynoa began a rehab project on July 16 however solely tossed two innings and doubtless wants a couple of extra outings to construct up.
Spencer Schwellenbach is having a great begin to his profession and will stick round, although it’s additionally solely been eight begins to date. Ian Anderson underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final yr however has been rehabbing currently, with 5 begins on the farm in current weeks. Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Allan Winans, Darius Vines and Dodd are additionally on the 40-man and may very well be within the combine to assist out.
For Fried personally, he’s headed at no cost company on the finish of this season and was trending towards a pleasant payday. He has over 800 innings on his observe file with a 3.08 ERA, 23.7 % strikeout charge, 6.7 % stroll charge and 54.1 % ground-ball charge, with well being not being an enormous issue for more often than not.
From 2019 to 2022, he made no less than 28 begins in every full season and likewise took the ball 11 instances within the shortened 2020 marketing campaign. He additionally added just below 60 playoff innings in these 4 years.
He did miss about three months final yr because of a left forearm pressure, along with lacking time because of a hamstring pressure and a blister. He solely made 14 begins final yr however had been placing collectively a pleasant season in 2024 earlier than this harm. He has already thrown 108 innings over 18 begins with a 3.08 ERA. His 21.5 % strikeout charge is down a bit, however he’s made opponents pound the ball into the bottom at a 59 % clip.
Fried positioned fifth on MLBTR’s current Free Agent Energy Rankings, the No. 2 pitcher behind Corbin Burnes. He might nonetheless preserve that sort of incomes energy if he returns after a comparatively transient absence and continues placing up sturdy numbers, however a extra important departure would have an effect there as effectively.
