Braves’ Max Fried Returns From Forearm Strain to Make First Rehab Appearance Since May 5th
The first half of the 2023 season wasn’t kind to Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried, who resides on the 60-day IL due to a left forearm strain, though the 29-year-old heads into the All-Star break on a positive note.
Fried made his long-awaited return to game action on Sunday, starting for the triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in his first outing since May 5th, beginning his 30-day rehab clock. He completed 1.1 scoreless innings before reaching his pitch count of 35.
Before departing with one out in the second inning, the 6-foot-4 lefty allowed one hit and two walks while registering one strikeout on two swinging strikes.
The 2022 All-Star, a runner-up for last season’s NL Cy Young Award, primarily worked on his four-seamer, which averaged 94.2 mph – half a tic quicker than his season average – and maxed out at 96.4 mph. But his curveball, slider, changeup and sinker were on display as well.
Fried retired the first batter of the game via strikes before allowing a walk – quickly erased on a successful pickoff attempt – a double and another walk ahead of an inning-ending lineout. He then induced a popout in the second prior to hitting his 35-pitch restriction.
It was a brief appearance, but one the Braves’ ace can feel encouraged about to conclude the first half.
“I feel great,“ Fried said post-game. “I came out of it feeling physically really good. I’m really optimistic. I’m looking forward to just knocking the rust off.”
“It was fun. I felt like my stuff was pretty good. It was nice to get the blood going. To go out there against some guys and compete, that’s my favourite thing to do. So to be able to go out and do that again, it was really nice.”
Atlanta has yet to announce how many rehab appearances Fried will make before returning to the majors. But considering he lasted less than two innings this time, he’ll likely be required to continue to build up over another few starts as the club cautiously monitors his status.
The Braves, carrying an MLB-best 60-29 record, have certainly done well to carry on without one of the game’s most elite starters. That wouldn’t have been possible without Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, whose efforts were rewarded with a pair of first-time All-Star selections.
Still, the starting rotation should receive a massive boost upon Fried’s eventual return, as the left-hander posted a 2.08 ERA and 3.05 FIP with an 18.4 percent strikeout-to-walk rate difference in five starts before injuring his left forearm against the Baltimore Orioles on May 5th.
“As an athlete and a competitor, you always want to be helping your guys out. You want to be in the fire, be part of the mix,” Fried said. “That’s kind of been the hardest part. Knowing how well and amazing they’ve been performing, you can take your time. But I want to be part of it. I’d rather be in it than watching from the sideline.“
With an 8.5-game lead in the NL East, the Braves can afford to play things slowly with Fried’s recovery timeline coming out of the All-Star break. All that matters is ensuring he’s ready to hit the ground running in the homestretch of the season.
The same applies to fellow impact starter Kyle Wright, of course, as he’s been sidelined since early May with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old has now begun a throwing program and doesn’t appear too far from starting a rehab assignment himself.
Atlanta is next in action on Friday July 14th as they kick off a three game series vs. the Chicago White Sox.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.