The Atlanta Braves are only nine games above.500, placing them second in the National League East.
While the Braves’ offense has been uneven at times, injuries have played a significant role in their troubles. On Thursday, they were dealt another, this time to a relief pitcher.
According to Justin Toscano, lefty A.J. Minter will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to right hip soreness. Jimmy Herget was called up to replace Minter on the team roster. He has pitched three innings in 2024.
Minter has been a reliable member of Brian Snitker’s bullpen thus far, with a 2.95 ERA and a 5-3 record in 25 appearances. He’s struck out 23 batters in 21.1 innings and issued only five free passes. The southpaw is a dependable arm for the Braves and will be missed for the next few weeks. Minter is one of Atlanta’s longest-tenured relievers, and he consistently gives his best effort.
Injuries are killing Braves
Spencer Strider, along with Tommy John, is out for the season. Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his ACL again. These are undoubtedly the Braves’ two top players out for the season. In addition, All-Star catcher Sean Murphy has played three games, and Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have both been sidelined for a couple weeks. It does not end there, either. Youngster AJ Smith-Shawver just suffered an oblique injury that will likely keep him out for months.
Atlanta cannot do much to address any of these health issues, but it is undeniably awful. Despite this, the team is still ranked in the top ten on both offense and defense. They rank eighth in runs scored with 4.5 per game and have a 3.48 ERA, which is fifth in the majors.
That is due in large part to a relatively constant rotation. Max Fried and Chris Sale both have ERAs under three, and Reynaldo Lopez has impressed with a 1.75 ERA in nine starts.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking injury of all is Acuna Jr’s. Sure, the Braves won the World Series without him in 2021, but they did so with Freddie Freeman and better outfield depth. Although Acuna Jr was hitting.250, it was only a matter of time before he straightened out his offensive game following his spectacular 2023 season.
Acuna Jr’s Braves teammates felt awful for him, particularly his close friend Ozzie Albies:
“I understand how difficult it must be for him to go through this again.” It’s not easy. I have been harmed myself, therefore I understand how it feels. It’s tough. And I know he simply needs to keep his mind ready and strong, and do his rehab, so he can return next year better than before.”
Return to Minter. He might return sooner than 15 days, but the Braves will probably be careful with the southpaw considering his significance to the bullpen.
Atlanta will try to salvage a series split against the Washington Nationals on Thursday after dropping two of the opening three games. Following that, the Oakland Athletics will visit for a three-game series.
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