Albies is back from toe injury, in lineup

Star second baseman returns for home series before West Coast trip.

It’s official: Ozzie Albies is back.

The Braves on Friday reinstated Albies (fractured right big toe) from the 10-day injured list. He missed the minimum amount of time and returned for the start of a three-game series with Cleveland at Truist Park.

On April 15 in Houston, Albies broke his toe when he was hit by a pitch. He finished the game but felt a lot of pain when taking off his cleat after that contest. X-rays revealed a fracture.

He went on the injured list April 16.

He needed only 10 days to recover from the broken toe

— and probably less than that. Braves manager Brian

Snitker said on several days this week Albies could’ve played. But the team couldn’t reinstate Albies until the 10 days were up.

The Braves went 7-1 without Albies, but this says more about their talent and depth than it does about Albies, who obviously makes the team better.

So Atlanta now has its All-Star second baseman and two-hole hitter back. His return comes in time for a tough West Coast trip to the Mariners and Dodgers after this weekend’s series against the Guardians, who at 18-7 had baseball’s second-best record when they arrived here.

On Thursday, the Braves outrighted David Fletcher to Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s staying in the organization, as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday evening.

Fletcher had an advance consent in his contract to be assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Had he elected free agency, he would’ve forfeited the remaining amount of money on an extension he signed with the Angels in 2021. Heading into the season, he was owed $14 million through next season.

Fletcher has five years of major league service, which gives him the right to reject any outright assignment and be released. In this case, he signed the advance consent form, which allows the Braves to send him to the minors instead of releasing him.

Ozzie Albies