Max Fried leaves Braves Opening Day with injury for nightmarish beginning [Updated]

Braves ace Max Fried started Opening Day against Washington but left the game early with a concerning injury in the fourth inning. 

It was a no-brainer to have Max Fried on the bump in Washington, DC for Opening Day with the Atlanta Braves looking to capture a second World Series in three years. Unfortunately, an injury ended any good feelings for the team’s ace and the fan base.

After allowing just one run — largely thanks to base-runners that reached due to a glaring sun at Nationals Park — in 3.0 innings, Fried earned a groundball to Matt Olson at first base and the pitcher ran to cover the bag and record the out. After doing so, though, he looked quite uncomfortable and grimaced.

That brought out the Braves training staff and, after just one warm-up pitch to test it, Fried was removed from the game after 3.1 innings with what appeared to be a leg injury.

Max Fried injury: Braves star leaves Opening Day start with apparent leg injury

Update, 2:50 p.m. ET – The broadcast for the game said that Fried left the game with “discomfort in his left hamstring.” We will keep fans updated with any further updates on the pitcher’s condition and outlook.

Update, 5:10 p.m. ET – Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game that the Max Fried injury will likely land the pitcher on the IL, though he didn’t specify for how long.

As of initial posting, there had not yet been definitive word on what was bothering the southpaw but the Max Fried injury certainly won’t give fans any comfort as it’s only the first game of the season.

While the Braves are loaded with pitching depth after the emergence of Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd in Spring Training and with reinforcements in the minors or returning soon from the IL, they are equipped to deal with injuries. At the same time, though, there’s no replacing Fried. The lefty has been one of baseball’s best pitchers over the past few years and looked right in form on Opening Day.

Fans will be waiting anxiously to hear the word on the Max Fried injury and how much time he’ll miss.

With both Fried and Mets newcomer Justin Verlander suffering injuries on Opening Day, we should certainly make a formal protest for the injuries to stop.