Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves is making progress towards his return from injury, aiming to rejoin the lineup for the postseason push. Despite dealing with numerous injuries, the Braves remain confident in their playoff prospects, relying heavily on their pitching rotation. Albies, the starting second baseman, could be back in the coming weeks.
According to The Athletic’s David O’Brien on X, Albies is set to do some fielding on Tuesday, though he hasn’t been cleared for batting practice yet. He has been taking swings in the cages and is at week six of an expected six to eight-week recovery period. Albies will need to complete a rehab assignment before rejoining the Braves.
Albies has been sidelined since July 21, after breaking his left wrist in a collision with Michael Siani during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This is the second time the three-time All-Star has been on the injured list this season; he also missed time in April with a broken toe but returned after the minimum stint.
In 90 games this season, the eight-year veteran has posted a .717 OPS, an OPS+ of 97, and 1.3 bWAR. Albies is coming off an impressive 2023 season where he recorded 30 doubles, 33 home runs, 109 RBI, 96 runs, and a .849 OPS, finishing 16th in MVP voting.
The Braves have overcome several significant injuries in their push for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. They lost reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season due to a torn left ACL in late May—his second ACL injury after tearing his right ACL in 2021. Acuña Jr. was a standout last season, hitting .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBI, and leading the majors in runs scored, hits, stolen bases, on-base percentage, and total bases.
Atlanta also lost All-Star pitcher Spencer Strider for the season to a UCL injury that required surgery. Strider made only two starts before his injury in early April. Last season, Strider led MLB in wins (20), K/9 (13.5), and strikeouts (281), with an NL-best FIP (2.85) in 32 starts.
Entering play on Tuesday, the Braves are seven games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East and currently hold the third NL Wild Card spot, just half a game ahead of the New York Mets. Despite a .500 record (21-21) since the All-Star break, the Braves believe their pitching can lead them to the postseason, and the return of players like Albies will only boost their chances.
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