Just 14 days after going on the injured list with forearm neuritis, Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried is back. The club announced they had activated the lefty from the 15-day IL to start Sunday's finale against the Miami Marlins.
When Fried went on the IL, it was uncertain when he would return. Other pitchers who had gone on the IL for that specific injury had missed anywhere from 32 days to over 100. However, the Braves seemingly dodged a bullet, with Fried missing only 17 days, including the three days his IL stint was backdated to.
Unfortunately, thanks to the roster crunch, the Braves had to option Dylan Lee, who has a 2.00 ERA in 46.1 innings to make room for the ace on the roster.
The #Braves today reinstated LHP Max Fried from the injured list after optioning LHP Dylan Lee to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 4, 2024
Why the Braves sent down Dylan Lee to make room for Max Fried's return
The 2024 Braves incredible pitching staff has only one flaw: it is completely inflexible. Of the 13 pitchers on the 26-man roster prior to Max Fried's activation from the injured list, only Spencer Schwellenbach and Dylan Lee had options remaining. Even rookie Grant Holmes had his options exhausted while he was still a part of the Oakland A's organization.
This isn't the first time Lee has been a victim of the roster crunch. Last month in Arizona, the Braves had to make room for Bryce Elder and optioned Lee as the corresponding move. Lee returned two days later, never leaving Arizona.
Atlanta made their bullpen even more unmalleable since, as they acquired Luke Jackson from the Giants at the deadline.
It's unfortunate for Lee, as the lefty has been excellent out of the Braves bullpen this season. In 46.1 innings, the 30-year-old has only allowed 10 earned runs, struck out 26.9% of batters he's faced, and has a 3.08 FIP on the season.
The only other option for the Braves to create a spot on the roster would be to IL a player like Reynaldo Lopez, who has been out for the last week with forearm soreness. However, the club seems to believe he can make a start next week, and IL stints can only be back-dated three days.