Braves pitcher Max Fried has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to forearm neuritis, a nerve inflammation. This move was announced by the Braves on Sunday and is retroactive to Thursday. Fried, who has a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA this season, has been a key player in the Braves’ rotation alongside Chris Sale and Reynaldo López.
According to Manager Brian Snitker, Fried first noticed something was wrong before his appearance in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Despite pitching the second inning with some discomfort, he still felt off when he returned to the ballpark on Friday. An MRI revealed the neuritis, and Fried will not resume throwing until he is symptom-free. Snitker expressed hope that Fried’s time on the IL will be short.
This is not the first time Fried has dealt with arm issues. He missed three months last year due to a strained forearm. In his most recent outing on July 11, Fried gave up one run on five hits in six innings during a 1-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. Prior to that, he allowed a season-high 11 hits in a game against the Phillies.
To fill Fried’s roster spot, the Braves have recalled left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett. Dodd, who has a 2-7 record with a 4.99 ERA this season in Gwinnett, previously made seven starts with the Braves in 2023 and posted a 2-2 record with a 7.60 ERA.
It is crucial for the Braves to have a solid pitching rotation, especially with the loss of Spencer Strider earlier in the season. Fried’s absence will be felt, but the team is hopeful that he will recover quickly and return to the mound soon. In the meantime, Dodd will have an opportunity to showcase his skills and contribute to the team’s success. The Braves will need all hands on deck as they continue their push for a playoff spot in a competitive division.