Max Fried, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
Max Fried could be returning to the Atlanta Braves’ roster in the next few days or so.
It seems as though Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried’s time on the IL is coming to an end.
Fried went on the IL along with center fielder Cristian Pache on April 14. He was dealing with a hamstring issue in his third start of the season. Fried was also limited to only two innings in his second start of the year after taking a liner off his calf muscle. Thus far, it has been a frustrating year for him with an 11.45 ERA and a WHIP of 2.545. Hopefully, he returns feeling very refreshed.
Braves manager Brian Snitker hints that Fried could be coming off the IL in the next day or so.
Atlanta Braves: Max Fried may be leaving the IL in the coming days
The Braves need Fried to get back to his 2020 self in a hurry. Atlanta has been hovering around .500 in April. All the while, Fried has dealt with injuries and has struggled mightily in the early part of the year. Keep in mind he became the team’s ace pitcher once Mike Soroka succumbed to a season-ending Achilles injury he has yet to fully recover from. Fried answered the call marvelously.
The good news for Atlanta is the Braves have played better ball of late. They took two of three on the road vs. the Cubs, split with the New York Yankees in The Bronx and won Friday night’s series opener vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. While Fried could technically come off the IL on Sunday vs. the Snakes, it sounds like he will be back for the Braves’ next home series vs. Chicago.
If Fried can get back to good coming off the IL, then the Braves could be in for a fantastic May.