The Atlanta Braves have been hit with another major injury in their pitching rotation. On Sunday morning, it was announced that left-handed pitcher Max Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list due to forearm neuritis, effective July 18th. Left-hander Dylan Dodd has been recalled to take Fried’s spot on the active roster.
Fried’s last appearance was in the All-Star Game, where he pitched one inning. The exact details and timing of his injury are unclear. Initially set to start on Sunday, his start was moved to Monday after Friday’s game was postponed. Fried has been a key player for Atlanta, boasting a 3.08 ERA and 1.157 WHIP over 108 innings, earning him an All-Star selection.
The Braves’ rotation faces challenges with Fried’s absence, coupled with Spencer Strider’s loss to Tommy John surgery and uncertainty over the fifth starter position. To address this, the Braves promoted Dodd, adding another left-hander to the rotation.
In Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves have several options. AJ Smith-Shawver has completed his rehab after an oblique strain, and Darius Vines and Allan Winans are other potential choices.
Ranked as the Braves’ 10th-best prospect in 2023, Dodd made his MLB debut on April 4th against the St. Louis Cardinals, securing a win in five innings. He ended the 2023 season with a 2-2 record and a 7.60 ERA over seven games. However, his performance in Triple-A Gwinnett this season has been less impressive, with a 2-7 record and a 4.99 ERA in 17 games. It’s uncertain how long Dodd will stay on the active roster, but given the limited options for left-handed starters in Atlanta, he may get an extended chance to prove himself.
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