Braves rumors: 3 best short-term replacements for Max Fried

The Atlanta Braves have plenty of good short-term options if Max Fried has to go on IL here.

While the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals on Opening Day 7-2 up in the nation’s capital, their ace pitcher Max Fried had to prematurely exit the game with a hamstring injury.

He was pitching well, but felt it get tight when he went to cover the bag on a play at first. Fried tried to give it a go with a warm-up pitch, but with the chilly weather and it being the first game of the season, Atlanta didn’t want to take any chances. While manager Brian Snitker expects for Fried to go on IL, this does not feel like a very lengthy stint for him should it end up going that direction.

Here is who the Braves could call up to replace Fried if he has to miss his next start in the rotation.

Atlanta Braves: 3 starters to call up should Max Fried have to go on IL this week

Mike Soroka should make his triumphant Atlanta Braves return at some point

It feels like a lifetime ago, but Mike Soroka was the best pitcher on the Braves staff during the 2019 MLB season. He was an All-Star and the future looked so incredibly bright for the Calgary Flame. Unfortunately, Soroka blew his Achilles out very early into the 2020 COVID season while coming off the mound. He ruptured it again in the clubhouse and has not pitched in Atlanta since.

His stuff and command were undeniable. Truth be told, they still might be. However, pretty much anything Soroka gives the Braves at the major-league level should be viewed as a bonus and nothing more. He has been snakebitten to hell when it comes to injuries. Although he is only in his mid-20s, there is chance we have seen his best baseball already. So will Soroka be called up here?

I mean, he could. He is on the Braves’ 40-man roster and this only feels like a temporary stop-gap role until the ace of the staff gets back. Frankly, if Soroka pitches well, he could end up securing that fifth spot in the rotation should Dylan Dodd or Jared Shuster have troublesome Aprils. However, I will believe it when it see it when Soroka does pitch in front of Braves Country again.

Technically, Soroka is an option if Fried has to go on IL, but there are better options to be had here.