Max Fried Returns to the Atlanta Braves Rotation on Friday
By Fred Owens
News that Fried was scheduled for an MRI on May 6 came as a shock since he’d thrown seven innings of two-run ball striking out seven against the Orioles in a 2-1 loss the night before.
Fans held their breath at the news because losing the staff ace and runner-up in the 2021 Cy Young voting would create a vacancy impossible to fill.
The Braves placed him on the 15-day IL on May 9, retroactive to May 6, with a strained left forearm, but a huge sigh of relief echoed throughout Braves’ Country with the news that his MRI found no structural problems.
On June 5, the Braves transferred Fried to the 60-day IL. In his absence, the bullpen, Jared Shuster (2), Dylan Dodd and Michael Soroka (2), and Kolby Allard took Fried’s starts, but none of the starter candidates claimed the job for their own.
After missing a rehab start due to illness, Fried made his fourth and final rehab start last Saturday throwing 4 1/3 innings and striking out four. The Braves wanted Fried to at least throw between 75 to 80 pitches and he threw 79 total in that start.
Things seemed to go well and Fried feels good after the start which is the most important thing. He had been pitching well up until the injury so let's hope he's able to replicate that success.
That’s A Wrap
When he went on the IL, Fried was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.077 WHIP over 26 innings when the Atlanta Braves Braves. His return to the rotation and regaining his Cy Young form are key to Atlanta Braves' postseason success.
The Atlanta Braves decided to pass on the pitchers available at the deadline. Fried’s healthy return is essential to making that decision the right one.