TESTING METTLE
♦ Snitker: Team shows resilience through injuries to key players
With the first month of the season drawing to a close, the Atlanta Braves welcomed the Cleveland Guardians to Truist Park for a weekend showdown between two of the best teams in Major League Baseball.
Cleveland has been an early surprise, but Atlanta entered 2024 with considerable expectations both internally and externally. Those stem from both their successes and shortcomings in recent years.
The Braves have seen their share of highs and lows, and more than their fair share of injuries on an annual basis. Already this season, Atlanta has lost three All-Stars to the injured list, with ace right-hander Spencer Strider ruled out for the remainder of the year.
As second baseman Ozzie Albies returns and catcher Sean Murphy gears up to do the same, Braves manager Brian Snitker remains impressed with his team’s ability to overcome the loss of key players.
“I think the one good thing about this club is that they don’t dip into the ‘woeis-me’ type thing when we lose somebody,” Snitker said. “We just keep going and making it happen. Guys don’t sit around and feel sorry for themselves. They just go next-man-up and get an opportunity to do something really good.”
Snitker and the Braves have made quite a bit happen during a six-year run of National League East division titles. Coming off consecutive 100-win campaigns, Atlanta is once again on pace for another in 2024 and owned Major League Baseball’s best record as of Thursday’s action.
Whether filling the void created by key members of the rotation or even a
superstar outfielder on their way to a World Series title, the Braves have embraced the challenge of seeking solutions, rising to the occasion and making the most of the opportunities created by the adversity.
Replacing the individual production of Strider this season or Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2021 is virtually impossible for one player to accomplish, but Snitker has seen his team spread that responsibility out and maintain their focus on the task at hand each day.
“The thing I like is I don’t feel like anybody is ever going out there trying to make up for the loss,” Snitker said. “They’re just going out and playing their game, staying steady, and I think they’ve found that you can make it work that way.”
Atlanta has been forced to navigate pitching issues and injuries on an annual basis throughout its run of success, which began in 2018. Snitker is quick to point out that while the situation is never ideal, every club in the majors is facing the same set of issues on the pitching side of things.
“You hate to lose them like that, but
we’re going to keep going and fighting hard,” Snitker said when Strider went down. “It’s happened to a lot of other teams. We’re not the only ones that have been bit by this issue. That’s just part of it and you deal with it. That’s why you try to acquire depth in your organization, because you know you’re going to need it. Like I’ve said, nobody is insulated from it. Everybody goes through it.”
FLETCHER OUTRIGHTED AS ALBIES RETURNS
Veteran infielder David Fletcher was the corresponding move as the Braves activated Albies prior to the series-opening game against Cleveland on Friday.
Fletcher, 29, was acquired in a winter trade with the Los Angeles Angels, who were seeking some salary relief. He was owed a total of $14 million dollars this season and next, plus a buyout of a 2026 club option.
Fletcher was set to return to Triple-A Gwinnett after appearing in five games for Atlanta and collecting two hits in eight at-bats. He split time at second base with fellow veteran infielder Luis Guillorme.