The last thing the Atlanta Braves need right now is another injury. The Braves have somehow found a way to hang around and even thrive lately despite being without Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and now Austin Riley among others. The vast majority of teams around the league would have folded after losing one guy that talented.
One of the reasons that the Braves have seen a boost lately was due to the return of Michael Harris II. Harris had missed an extended period of time with a hamstring injury and getting him back not only gave the Braves their starting centerfielder again, but kept some of the less...desirable outfield options from getting playing time.
The Braves' roster progress is unfortunately in jeopardy as Harris was pulled early from Sunday's game against the Nationals after getting hit in the hand/wrist by a pitch.
Kelenic replaces Harris in center. Harris was hit by a pitch in the left hand/wrist area in the first inning
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 25, 2024
OF Michael Harris II was removed from today’s game as a precaution with left hand soreness.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 25, 2024
Braves News: Michael Harris II pulled from game early after hit by pitch
The "good" news here is that the team announced pretty quickly that Harris' removal from the game was precautionary. As is always the case, we'll know more after the game once the Braves' doctors get a closer look at Harris and this could end up being bad news once again. However, it isn't crazy for a guy to get pulled after a HBP like that once swelling sets in and Harris did play a few innings after getting hit which was a positive.
One has to just hope that Atlanta is just exercising an abundance of caution with Harris given their injury situation and the lack of great options to replace Harris if he were to go on the shelf again. Once Snitker speaks to the media after the game, we'll get a better sense of where Harris stands.
If Harris were to need some more time off, it would mean more at-bats for guys like Adam Duvall and Jarred Kelenic who haven't exactly torn the cover off the ball in 2024. The Braves have figured out how to cover for all of these injuries for the most part so far and not completely collapse, but it is getting harder and harder to do so.