It really felt like things were finally going the Atlanta Braves' way again. After a rough week where they lost back-to-back series, the Braves got a well-deserved day off and then word got out that Drake Baldwin was making his return to the lineup. Despite a rough first inning from Grant Holmes, Braves fans were all smiles when Baldwin hit an an absolute tank of a home run in his first plate appearance back that was measured at 473 feet. Atlanta took the lead and all was well...until it wasn't.
Michael Harris II has been a critical cog in the Braves' offense in 2026, but he has been hampered somewhat by injuries. He played tentatively while working through a quad injury earlier in the season and has been dinged up here and there pretty much all season. Unfortunately, that trend continued on Tuesday when Harris was pulled early from the game after the first inning after scoring from second on a single from Mauricio Dubon.
OF Michael Harris II was removed from tonight’s game due to lower back tightness.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 16, 2026
Michael Harris II leaves game after first inning against Giants with back tightness
While it isn't readily apparent what was ailing Harris at first, something was clearly up on his single in the first inning. He showed zero interest in trying to take second on the play and while he did come around to score from second on a single, he didn't exactly light the bases on fire doing so. The Braves would later say that he left the game with back tightness, which is something that has bothered him at times this season.
Stay tuned, Braves fans. Unfortunately, we have another injury scare to deal with and it involves another piece of the Braves' offense that they can't really afford to lose almost immediately after getting Baldwin back.
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