Even though it looks like the Braves will not win another NL East title, this season isn’t over. The club remains in playoff contention as they own the final spot of the NL Wild Card, but the Cubs and Mets are right on their heels.
There’s still reason to be optimistic about a potential postseason run too. Of course, the Braves don’t have the offensive firepower to make them favorites or anything, but they have the kind of pitching staff that only comes around every couple of decades, especially the starting rotation.
Moreover, the Braves could still get back an All-Star bat or two. Austin Riley is on the injured list currently and could return, but his is much more unlikely than Ozzie Albies’ return. Riley could make it back at some point during the postseason, while Albies is expected back this month.
According to Grant McAuley, the Braves star second baseman is shooting for a mid-to-late September return.
#Braves 2B Ozzie Albies no longer needs to wear any brace on his left wrist but said his return is trending toward a mid-late September – the 8-week prognosis.
He is taking fielding practice for the first time today and continues to work/swing in the cage, but not hitting yet
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) September 3, 2024
That was the initial timeline, but Alex Anthopoulos did provide a glimmer of hope in the Braves booth a few weeks ago that an early-to-mid September return was in the cards.
Unfortunately, it looks like Ozzie Albies won’t have much time, if any at all, to get acclimated back as the Braves prepare for a potential postseason-altering series against the Mets in a few weeks.
In his place, Whit Merrifield has been pretty darn good, but the Braves could put the super utility man in the outfield when Albies returns. That would improve this lineup. Hopefully, it’s sooner than the current timeline as the Braves enter the stretch run.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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