Braves' Third Baseman Suffers Key Injury
The Atlanta Braves' season has hit another snag, as an MRI has revealed a fracture in the right hand of their star third baseman. The injury occurred after he was struck by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. With a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks, this injury is yet another blow to the Braves' lineup.
This season, the third baseman has been a vital contributor to the team's offense. Over the course of 110 games, he has recorded a batting average of .256 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .461 slugging percentage. His tally includes 19 home runs and 26 doubles. Notably, since May 2024, his performance has improved significantly to .275/.339/.531, a substantial uptick from his early season stats of .228/.295/.353 heading into June.
If his recovery is on the quicker end of the estimate, there is a slim possibility he could return during the final week of the regular season. This would align his comeback with the Braves' three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. However, should his recovery extend to the full eight weeks, he would miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the initial rounds of the postseason.
A Season Plagued by Injuries
Unfortunately, this latest setback adds to a growing list of injuries for the Braves. The team has already been navigating the season without their ace Spencer Strider, who made just two starts before a UCL tear ended his season. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been sidelined for nearly a month with a wrist fracture. To compound matters, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June with a season-ending ACL tear.
Max Fried's return from forearm neuritis was anticipated to bolster the Braves' rotation, but he has struggled to find his rhythm. This torrent of injuries has undoubtedly impacted the team's performance and depth.
Battle for a Playoff Spot
Despite these adversities, the Braves are holding onto a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Trailing them in the race are the San Francisco Giants, four games back, and the St. Louis Cardinals, five games back. Simultaneously, the Braves are working to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, a division they have dominated by clinching the title for the past six seasons.
The series of injuries this season has undoubtedly tested the Braves' resilience. To manage in the absence of their key third baseman, Luke Williams is expected to take over as the primary third baseman. Williams will have big shoes to fill as the Braves look to maintain their position in the postseason race.
The Braves' hopes for this season now rest heavily on their ability to weather this storm of injuries and the performance of their remaining healthy players. The potential return of their third baseman for the closing games against a key rival could provide a much-needed boost. As the season progresses, the focus will be on not just maintaining their wild-card slot but also attempting a remarkable comeback in the NL East standings.