Ozzie Albies’ impressive performance during his rehab stint is a bittersweet moment for the Atlanta Braves. Their season has been plagued by injuries, and after another early playoff exit in 2023, expectations were high. GM Alex Anthopoulos bolstered the roster by adding Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and fan favorite Adam Duvall.
On paper, the Braves looked poised to maintain their dominance in the National League, but injuries derailed those plans. Almost every key player, aside from Marcell Ozuna, has either struggled with injuries or slumps. Star players Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. were lost early in the season, and others like Austin Riley, Sean Murphy, Michael Harris, and recently Ozzie Albies also missed significant time.
Albies, sidelined with a wrist fracture since late July, is close to returning after going 2-for-3 with a home run in his first rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett. He could rejoin the team as soon as Friday, offering a much-needed boost. However, time is running out for the Braves. With just 11 games left, they sit two games behind the New York Mets for the final Wild Card spot.
Todd Kirkland
In addition to injuries, the Braves have suffered from missed opportunities, like Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, where the bullpen squandered a 5-1 lead. Meanwhile, the Mets are surging, leaving the Braves needing both stellar performances and some help from New York faltering to make the playoffs. The season has taken a toll on Atlanta, but it’s not over yet.
Albies’ return could provide a spark, but he may not have enough time to fully shake off the rust before the season ends. Whit Merrifield has filled in admirably at second base, but Albies’ impact is on another level. Braves fans are hoping Albies can quickly get back to form and make the postseason race competitive. The team could certainly use some good fortune for a change.
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