The Braves can’t catch a break. Despite the season being quite young, the club has lost several significant pieces already.
It began during the year’s opening series when Sean Murphy went down with an oblique injury against the Phillies. The All-Star catcher will miss considerable time, but the Braves are built to withstand his absence thanks to the presence of Travis d’Arnaud.
Murphy has begun the process to return to the field, walking and using the Stairmaster, but the backstop is still weeks, if not months away from suiting up again.
The second player of the team to go down isn’t as easily replaceable, though. Spencer Strider underwent a procedure to repair his UCL and will be out for the remainder of the season. Alex Anthopoulos came into the offseason with a goal of bolstering the rotation, and now, that depth will be put to the test.
The hits keep coming, though. Ozzie Albies, who was hit by a pitch yesterday against the Astros, will take a trip to the Injured List with a right toe fracture, per the team’s official Twitter.
The #Braves today selected the contract of INF David Fletcher, and placed INF Ozzie Albies on the 10-day injured list with a right great toe fracture.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 16, 2024
The Braves lineup is good and deep enough to withstand the loss of Albies, but any team losing three of its most important players will take a toll.
The fun-loving, second baseman was off to a hot start following an outstanding 2023 campaign. Albies was batting .386 with 14 RBIs and a 138 OPS+ through 15 games.
In his place, Braves fans should expect some combination of Luis Guillorme and David Fletcher, who should only be relied on to play serviceable defense.
Hopefully, for the Braves and Ozzie Albies, this injury isn’t too serious and the trip to the IL is a short one.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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