With the Atlanta Braves about to start what should be a very tough NLDS against the Phillies, the biggest question mark surrounding the Braves is their starting rotation. Spencer Strider sits at the top of the rotation, but Max Fried is dealing with blister issues and the rest of the rotation behind them is spotty at best.
Part of the problem has been that Kyle Wright hasn't been able to stay on the field in 2023. Wright missed the bulk of the 2023 season dealing with shoulder issues and was not on the NLDS roster despite an apparent need for pitching depth. Well, manager Brian Snitker revealed during the pre-game media briefing that Kyle Wright is going to need to have shoulder surgery and is likely to miss the entirety of next season in addition to the playoffs.
Kyle Wright will need a surgical procedure of some kind on his shoulder and is expected to miss all of the 2024 season, #Braves manager Brian Snitker said. MRI Friday revealed damage.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 7, 2023
Kyle Wright to have shoulder surgery, putting his Braves future in doubt
The exact nature of Wright's shoulder injury hasn't been revealed just yet. What is known is that the Braves placed Wright on the 60 day IL with a shoulder strain earlier which nixed any hope of his pitching in the playoffs this year. Wright has been dealing with soreness in his shoulder since before the season and has had injections and multiple rehab stints as well. Unfortunately, those non-surgical interventions and treatments were not able to get him back to health.
Given that the exact surgerical procedure/injury isn't public yet, putting a timeline and prognosis out there is impossible. However, his injury calls into question his future with the Braves. Wright is set to hit arbitration for the first time this offseason and given that he will be out for all of 2024 from the sounds of things, that will mean he will be coming off two lost seasons effectively before he could return to the mound.
Wright's injury also likely could color the Braves' offseason plans as starting pitching will be an even bigger focus now. It could also grease the wheels of a potential extension for Max Fried, although his price tag will likely continue to be a problem.