The Atlanta Braves lost Michael Harris on Friday night to a hamstring injury. Harris has been placed on the 10-day injured list as was expected. Atlanta's outfield depth will continue to be tested with the Harris the second starter to go down.
Atlanta's corresponding moves were adding Spencer Strider to the 60-day injured list and calling up Ramón Laureano. Laureano spent extensive time as a starter in Oakland with his best season coming in 2019 offering 67 RBI, 24 home runs, and a solid .340 on-base percentage.
The #Braves today selected OF Ramón Laureano to the major league roster and placed OF Michael Harris II on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Spencer Strider to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 15, 2024
In the time since, Laureano has struggled spending the last two seasons in Cleveland. Atlanta inked a minor league deal with the veteran outfielder on the heels of the Ronald Acuña Jr. injury. A depth move that will now come into play for a team who simply cannot catch a break.
Braves News: Atlanta placed Harris on 10-day IL, transferred Strider to the 60-day IL, and called up Ramon Laureano
Moving Strider to the 60-day injured list has long been expected with the pitcher out for the rest of the season. Losing Strider has been easier than expected with Chris Sale turning back the clock and Reynaldo López's surprising emergence as a rotation stud.
While Laureano could prove to be a short-term solution the Braves should be expected to make further moves in the outfield. Marcell Ozuna is an option in an emergency but was a clear liability last he was put into the field and he certainly shouldn't be used as an option in center.
This leaves the Braves with Adam Duvall, Jared Kelenic, and Laureano as their expected starters until Harris is healthy. All three players are solid defensively, but at times have been a liability at the plate. Atlanta should be expected to be active on the trade market looking to add to the position group with multiple options available to Atlanta if they decide to pursue external replacements.
For now, however, Atlanta must be content with giving Laureano the chance to turn back the clock and win a contributing role on a team that injuries continue to bite.