Atlanta Braves Injury Updates

Just when Atlanta was gaining some momentum, the injury bug has bitten – hard. Here’s an update on the key health issues.

Mallex Smith

There was some concern last week, but as of Friday (July 1), reports are that Smith will be able to avoid surgery on his broken thumb.

That’s not to say that a 6 week timetable is going to happen, either. Smith was hit by a pitch on June 19th. Early reports suggested 8-10 weeks, and this check-up to see about a surgical option suggests nothing to shorten that window.

Given that, plus rehab time… don’t look for Mallex to be striking terror in the hearts of pitchers from the basepaths until perhaps the first week of September.

Julio Teheran

Ingrown hair, infection, scratched start for #Braves Teheran https://t.co/6UhOqtpS3t
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 6, 2016

The date of Teheran’s next start is a bit up in the air now, as that will depend entirely on whether the antibiotics he is now getting will reverse the infection quickly. As we don’t know the severity of the infection or the speed of the cure, this could take anywhere from Friday through Sunday… perhaps beyond… before we next see Julio Teheran.

Gordon Beckham

Beckham’s second hamstring pull of the season is completely healed, and he’s been rehabbing this week, now with the Carolina Mudcats. They were postponed yesterday, but on the 4th of July, Beckham went 2 for 3 with 2 walks, scoring 3 times. I’d say he’s getting close.

If all’s well, he’s expected to return to the club in the next couple of days.

Eric O’Flaherty

EOF was DL’d on June 13 with a left knee strain. He started his rehab sessions this week, first with the GCL and now with Rome.

He struck out 2 batters in a perfect inning on Monday. Sounds like he’s getting close.

Ender Inciarte

A mild groin strain kept Inciarte out of games for a few days, but was not enough to DL him. He returned last night with a vengeance: homering to account for the only Braves’ run of the game. Fortunately, his injury wasn’t really tested last night as many of the fly balls hit to the outfield were roughly 100 feet beyond his normal positioning.

Other Notables

John Gant (left oblique, 6/28) – could return in September, but team is expected to err on the side of caution

Williams Perez (rotator cuff strain, 6/7) – no word on his return

Shae Simmons – still shut down after arm soreness during his initial rehab appearances (Tommy John surgery in 2015)

Next: Teheran Not Pitching... but Starring

With all the injuries impacting pitching, this explains why the current rotation includes the names Foltynewicz, Harrell, De La Cruz, Wisler, and Jenkins.