MLB Rumors: Max Fried placed on the injured list again
The Atlanta Braves have placed Max Fried on the injured list for the second time this season. A reminder: It’s early May.
Fried is the Braves unquestioned ace for now, with Spencer Strider potentially taking over that role in a couple of years should the right-handed pitcher leave in free agency. But Fried is the most polished pitcher on Atlanta’s staff, and it’s a shame he’ll miss more time with what can only be described as a worrisome injury.
A forearm strain can be nothing, or something serious. It’s vague enough that it gives the medical staff plenty of leeway as they examine what exactly is wrong with Fried, and how they can fix it. The treatment plan is unclear for now, but Fried’s IL stint is backdated to May 6.
In the meantime, the Braves rotation will be a little shorthanded. Fried and Kyle Wright are on the injured list. This leaves Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder as the workhorses, and possible reinforcements coming up. In their roster move announcement, Atlanta also called up left-handed pitcher Danny Young. It’s unclear exactly how he fits into the Braves plans while Fried is absent.
The good news for Brian Snitker and Co. is that they’ve built up quite the NL East advantage, and are the best team in the National League right now, record-wise. Their lineup is nearing full strength after the returns of Travis d’Arnaud and Orlando Arcia.
In his steed, expect the Braves to make a corresponding move for Mike Soroka, Dylan Dodd or even Jared Shuster. Atlanta needs more starting pitchers at the moment.