On Tuesday, the Braves announced their lineup with one notable player absent from the starting nine. Orlando Arcia has struggled much of the season and even missed a few games during their last road trip.
It was unclear whether the shortstop's struggles or an injury was the reason for day off, but the Braves beat writers eventually got to the bottom of it. Additionally, they also got even worse news on Ramón Laureano, who has been out since last week with a nagging back issue.
Arcia has an abscessed tooth. Laureano’s back pain has moved toward his oblique. An IL stint is now a possibility
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 2, 2024
Arcia is not with the team going into the first of the Braves three-game series against the Giants. Meanwhile, Laureano's injury has worsened, which could lead to an IL stint.
What the latest injuries mean for the Braves
While Arcia's struggles at the plate have been impossible to ignore, there's no denying that he does bring stability to the club's defense. With Arcia out indefinitely, the Braves will have to rely on Luke Williams and Zack Short. Neither infielder matches Arcia's prowess with the glove, and are likely downgrades offensively as well.
Williams has two hits in the last two seasons while Short has never had a wRC+ above 76 and is currently slashing .136/.301/.169 in 74 plate appearances.
The Braves bench has already been playing shorthanded for the last week with Ramón Laureano nursing a sore back. Unfortunately, that injury has become a sore oblique, and the Braves are now considering an IL stint.
With that, the Braves have to consider options since Michael Harris II isn't near a return yet. The team announced there is no real timetable for his return to the lineup but he's been able to play catch and things like that. However, he's not really tested the hamstring yet so it could be a little while longer.
Michael Harris II has yet to test his hamstring by running, but that could happen soon. Still no exact timetable for his return. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 2, 2024
Arcia, Harris, and Laureano being out means the bench is now reduced down to Luke Williams and Travis d'Arnaud. Williams has played every position but catcher in his MLB career, despite only having 161 games under his belt. Meanwhile, d'Arnaud has played first base, third base, and second base.
d'Arnaud's experience at second and third came switching off and on with Asdrúbal Cabrera depending on handedness when injuries wreaked havoc on the Mets bench.
Hopefully, Arcia's tooth heals quickly and Atlanta decides on Laureano before d'Arnaud is pressed into action doing the same for the Braves.