Day Fixed: Braves All-Star Second Baseman To Return Soon

admin | April 23, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, Ozzie Albies has begun swinging a bat and might return from the 10-day disabled list when he becomes eligible on Friday.

However, if he is not ready to leave on Friday, his return would be expected soon. Albies fractured his right toe when he was hit by a fastball a week ago. In place of the All-Star, Atlanta has relied on Luis Guillorme and David Fletcher at second base. The news comes as a relief, especially after Albies failed to wear a protective walking boot on Sunday.

#Braves’ Ozzie Albies is progressing quickly from his fractured big toe and has started swinging the bat. Could return as soon as Friday, the day he’s eligible to come off the 10-day IL. If not it’ll be soon after.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 22, 2024

Strong Chance for Ozzie Albies to Return Later This Week

The loss of Albies harmed the club because he was a steady solid hitter. He got off to a strong start to the year, hitting.317/.386/.492. Losing that level of output was disappointing for Atlanta, which is also without Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy. Strider is out for the season after having elbow surgery, and Murphy is recovering from an olbique strain. Having three important contributors out at once is not ideal. Albies has been on the injured list for four of the last five seasons.

No Luck with the Injuries

The second baseman’s injury history goes back to 2016, when he was with Double-A Mississippi. He shattered his elbow while swinging late in the season. But he did make it to the majors over a year later. Albies then missed half of the 2020 season, which was cut short by COVID, due to a right wrist bone bruise. He later injured his left foot while swinging during the 2022 season. Albies also missed the postseason that year, which ended one day after he finished a three-month spell on the injured list.

Albies Replacement at Second Base

Fletcher provided Altanta with depth throughout the diamond. He has played all three infield positions to the left of first base, as well as the outfield corners. Fletcher is renowned as a strong defender with a contact-oriented approach to the plate. His impressive performance in the abbreviated 2020 season saw him hit.319/.376/.425. Following that season, the Los Angeles Angels extended Fletcher’s contract for another five years. Unfortunately, his production dropped, making his 2020 seasons a glaring exception. He has a lifetime batting line of.277/.323/.359 and.259/.296/.327 since the 2020 season.

The Angels waived Fletcher twice last year. Because no club claimed him and he had over three years of service time, he chose free agency. After signing him, Atlanta officially removed him from the roster. However, Albies’ injury allowed Fletcher to return to the majors. If he is thrown off the roster again and clears waivers, he can choose free agency without losing money on his contract.