The Atlanta Braves have dealt with injuries to their pitching staff and position players this year but luckily it hasn't affected the team too much in the win department. They've been able to adapt and pick one another up when someone goes down with an injury.
Atlanta announced a few updates to players already on the injured list. Max Fried is making his second rehab start at Rome on Saturday. That's a welcome sight as Fried has been out of the rotation for a little over two months now.
The team also announced an update on Dylan Lee who was placed on the injured list earlier in the season with shoulder inflammation and it's unfortunate because he had been pitching so well for the Braves. Now, a shoulder injury is one that teams will always be cautious with and while there haven't been any setbacks, Atlanta is taking a careful approach with Lee's return.
Atlanta knows all about setbacks with shoulder injuries as they are dealing with that as it pertains to Kyle Wright at the moment. He came back and reaggravated his shoulder issue and has been out for even longer at this point. So, the team has learned it is best to take your time with shoulder injuries.
The lefty Braves reliever hasn't started a rehab assignment yet and he likely won't since the team is trying to be careful with sending him back too soon. David O'Brien of The Athletic reported that fans could expect Lee back on the mound sometime in August and won't have to throw in any rehab assignments when he is ready.
Dylan Lee (shoulder) hasn't begun a rehab assignment, but the #Braves lefty hasn't had any setbacks. Just being careful with him. Expect him back at some point in August. Won't need many rehab games once he goes out.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 13, 2023
Dylan Lee has a 3.10 ERA through 20.1 innings of relief so far in 2023 with 23 strikeouts. He was averaging a little over 10 strikeouts per nine innings through that time.
Speaking of shoulder injuries, Atlanta added reliever Nick Anderson to the 60-day IL retroactive to July 8th with a strain in his right shoulder. Anderson is 4-0 on the season with a 3.06 ERA through 35.1 innings pitched including 9 walks and 36 strikeouts.
Anderson was very effective for the Braves early on but really struggled in June. Through 8.2 innings he walked 5 batters and struck out 7 of them. Opposing teams batted .343 against the righty during the month as well. Despite that, Anderson has been one of the best bullpen options for Atlanta.
It's tough losing yet another pitcher to injury so Atlanta will have to find another option to fill the void until Anderson is back which looks like won't be until September.
The #Braves today claimed OF Dalton Guthrie off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 13, 2023
To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta placed RHP Nick Anderson on the 60-day injured list, backdated to July 8th, with a right shoulder strain.
With the recent scare with A.J. Minter having some tightness in his pectoral muscle, Lee getting closer to returning is a very welcome sight and Minter not being seriously injured is very comforting after the news about Anderson.
The move to place Anderson on the 60-day IL was also done because Atlanta claimed a player off of waivers. Outfielder Dalton Guthrie was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and he was optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers.
Guthrie was originally traded from Philadelphia to the Giants for cash considerations. Guthrie has a career 115 wRC+ and 0.4 fWAR. He has played in 402 Minor League games in his career since 2017. His career slash line in the minors is .263/.321/.400 with a .805 OPS.
While he is an outfielder, he's played in the infield as well, and that likely is why the Braves chose to add him as a depth option. He's appeared in 37 MLB games with the Phillies and has a .244 average with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 BB, 14 K.
That about catches us up on everything that's happened so far today. Keep your eyes on HTHB for more Braves news. The second half of the 2023 season gets underway tomorrow as Atlanta welcomes the White Sox into town.