Max Fried injury update: Braves reveal frustrating prognosis for ace

Braves pitcher Max Fried is likely heading for the injured list after suffering a hamstring strain on Opening Day against the Nationals.

Opening Day is supposed to be a joyous occasion, and it was for the most part for the Atlanta Braves. They beat the Nationals, 7-2, Ronald Acuña Jr. looked like superman and Matt Olson made last year’s trade look all the better.

It wasn’t all roses though. The cloud hanging over 1-0 was the injury that forced Max Fried to leave the mound in the fourth inning after running to cover first base.

Now we have more details about the hamstring injury, and it’s not the most positive update.

Max Fried injury update: Braves pitcher likely heading to IL

Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Fried has a hamstring strain and that he will miss at least one start, if not more. While Atlanta isn’t committing to putting the pitcher on the injured list, that certainly seems to be the most likely outcome.

Fried himself said that Thursday’s injury felt similar to the 2021 hamstring injury that cost him three weeks of action, per David O’Brien of The Athletic.

So there’s that. Fried will miss at least one start but it looks likely he’ll have to sit out more time than that.

It’s an obviously disappointing development for a Braves squad that narrowly won the NL East last year and is looking to defend that title. Fried’s health will undoubtedly play a role in their ability to do that.

Before the injury, Fried had two strikeouts while giving up four hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings pitched. He was replaced by Lucas Luetge, who got credit for the win.

The Braves took an early lead with three runs in the second inning via singles from Orlando Arcia and Ozzie Albies and a walk of Austin Riley.