The Braves introduced right this moment that left-hander Max Fried has been positioned on the 15-day injured checklist, retroactive to July 18, with left forearm neuritis. Lefty Dylan Dodd was recalled in a corresponding transfer.
At this level, it’s unclear how vital Fried’s harm is or when it occurred. His most up-to-date outing for Atlanta noticed him throw six innings in opposition to the Diamondbacks on July 11. He was chosen to the Nationwide League All-Star group after which tossed a scoreless inning in opposition to the American League in that recreation. Till he was positioned on the IL, there had been no public reporting that something was amiss.
Extra info will possible be forthcoming however this figures to be a major improvement both method. Atlanta got here into this season with a entrance 5 of their rotation of Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton, Chris Sale and Reynaldo López. Strider required UCL surgical procedure in April and is completed for the yr.
For so long as Fried is out, the membership will probably be right down to a rotation nucleus of Morton, Sale and López, who’re every having nice years however with some lingering issues. Sale has been regularly injured in latest seasons and his 110 innings thrown this yr are essentially the most for him since 2019. López began earlier in his profession however was moved to the bullpen a number 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 Morton continues to seek out success however is now 40 years outdated and his strikeout price is down for a 3rd straight yr.
Atlanta is presently 54-43 on the yr, 7.5 video games again of the Phillies within the East division however presently holding the highest Wild Card spot. Given their rotation state of affairs, they have been in all probability going to be on the lookout for upgrades earlier than the July 30 deadline however it’s potential that search will 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, they must cobble issues collectively behind Morton, Sale and López. Neither Hurston Waldrep nor Huascar Ynoa will be capable to assist out, as each of them are presently on the IL. Ynoa began a rehab project on July 16 however solely tossed two innings and possibly wants a number of extra outings to construct up.
Spencer Schwellenbach is having a superb begin to his profession and may stick round, although it’s additionally solely been eight begins up to now. Ian Anderson underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final yr however has been rehabbing these days, with 5 begins on the farm in latest weeks. Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Allan Winans, Darius Vines and Dodd are additionally on the 40-man and could possibly be within the combine to assist out.
For Fried personally, he’s headed totally free company on the finish of this season and was trending in direction of a pleasant payday. He has over 800 innings on his observe document with a 3.08 ERA, 23.7% strikeout price, 6.7% stroll price and 54.1% floor ball price, with well being not being an enormous issue for more often than not. From 2019 to 2022, he made at the very least 28 begins in every full season and in addition took the ball 11 occasions within the shortened 2020 marketing campaign. He additionally added just below 60 playoff innings in that four-year stretch.
He did miss about three months final yr on account of a left forearm pressure, along with lacking time on account of a hamstring pressure and a blister. He solely made 14 begins final yr however had been placing collectively a pleasant season in 2024 previous to this harm. He has already thrown 108 innings over 18 begins with a 3.08 ERA. His 21.5% strikeout price 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 latest Free Agent Energy Rankings, the #2 pitcher behind Corbin Burnes. He might nonetheless preserve that type of incomes energy if he returns after a comparatively temporary absence and continues placing up sturdy numbers, however a extra vital departure would clearly have an effect there as nicely.
