Fried injury another big blow
The NL East-leading Braves’ season-long rotation woes continued this week when Max Fried, the top healthy starter, was placed on the 10-day IL on Tuesday. The move was retroactive to Sunday.
The latest blow to the rotation could accelerate the team’s plans to have Cole Hamels rushed into action for his 2020 debut.
Fried had been the only current healthy member of the projected rotation before the season began.
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos said Fried has a left-side muscle spasm in his lumbar spine. Fried is 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA.
Before the injury, Fried excelled as the team’s top starter, filling the void left when the Braves lost opening day starter Mike Soroka to a torn right Achilles tendon suffered on Aug. 3 against the Mets.
Soroka’s season-ending injury was only the most notable of a staggering series of setbacks that have rocked the rotation.
Former ace Mike Foltynewicz was designated for assignment and then assigned to the team’s alternate training site after he wasn’t signed by another club. The move came after the righthander gave up three home runs, four walks and six runs in his 2020 debut, a 14-5 loss to the Rays.
Hamels, t he l ef t - hander signed to add needed experience to the rotation, hasn’t pitched this season after having a sore shoulder in spring training and then developing triceps tendinitis.
Another veteran, Felix Hernandez, opted out of the season. Also, lefty Sean Newcomb was 0-2 with an 11.20 ERA in four starts.