The Braves introduced Sunday 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 crew 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 data will probably be forthcoming however this figures to be a big growth both method. 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 can 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 just a few 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 previous 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 its rotation state of affairs, it was most likely going to be searching for upgrades earlier than the July 30 deadline however the search could now ramp up with this harm to Fried. Some potential trade candidates embrace Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi, Garrett Crochet and plenty of extra.
Within the meantime, the Braves must cobble issues collectively behind Morton, Sale and Lopez. Neither Hurston Waldrep nor Huascar Ynoa will have the ability 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 just a few extra outings to construct up.
Spencer Schwellenbach is having a superb begin to his profession and will 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 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 without spending a dime company on the finish of this season and was trending towards a pleasant payday. He has over 800 innings on his observe report with a 3.08 ERA, 23.7 % strikeout price, 6.7 % stroll price and 54.1 % ground-ball price, 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 in addition took the ball 11 occasions within the shortened 2020 marketing campaign. He additionally added slightly below 60 playoff innings in these 4 years.
He did miss about three months final yr attributable to a left forearm pressure, along with lacking time attributable to 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 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 current Free Agent Power Rankings, the No. 2 pitcher behind Corbin Burnes. He may 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 have an effect there as effectively.