Braves rumors: Michael Harris II gets good injury news

The Atlanta Braves did get some positive news on the Michael Harris II injury front.

Even though he is not yet ready to return to the starting lineup, there is some positive injury update news when it comes to Atlanta Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II.

Harris has been out since the first game of the first series with the San Diego Padres this season. It has been about two weeks since he tweaked his back making a play against the outfield wall, only to further aggravate it on a head-first slide into second base. While Atlanta has been just fine in his extended absence, winners of seven in a row now, Harris could be returning here very soon.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported on Tuesday that “Harris did some agility drills on the field yesterday” and “he’ll likely be cleared to start swinging a bat again today or tomorrow.”

This may indicate Harris’ possible return to the starting lineup before the end of the month or so.

Atlanta Braves get positive injury news when it comes to Michael Harris II

The best part in all this is the Braves do not have to rush Harris back from IL. They are playing fantastic baseball over the course of the first few weeks of the season. While there will be a regression to the mean in some capacity at some point, this is one of the most talented teams across MLB for a reason. The depth this club has at seemingly all spots is a total game-changer.

What is even crazier is Harris isn’t the only key piece on the club in the tub, so to speak. Players like Travis d’Arnaud, Raisel Iglesias and Collin McHugh are still working their way back from various injuries. D’Arnaud should clear concussion protocol. McHugh could return here shortly. As for Iglesias, he has yet to make his 2023 Braves debut, but at least Atlanta is not rushing him back.

Ultimately, the bat was always going to be the last thing that kept Harris on IL. While it is all interconnected, swinging the lumber is usually the one part of the game where returning from a back injury can be so fickle. All it takes is one swing to mess the whole thing up and we are back to square one on the path to recovery. These things take time, but the Braves are not in any big hurry.

It may be longer, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Harris is back with the Braves at home this weekend.