On Wednesday, Michael Harris II made a leaping catch in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s series finale, but hit his back on the right-center field wall at Busch Stadium.
On Thursday, he re-aggravated his back when he executed a headfirst slide into second base while swiping the bag. He stayed on a knee for a few moments, slow to get up.
On Friday, the Braves placed Harris on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain. The team recalled outfielder Eli White to take the open roster spot.
“I don’t think it’s that serious, but I guess it’s something you don’t want to try to play through and then it becomes something worse,” Harris said Friday. “So I guess just taking these days off would be best.”
After his second-inning slide Thursday, Harris broke in on a blooper to center field in the top of the third. “That’s what made me have some concern and come out to say something,” he said. He didn’t return to the game in the top of the fourth. Sam Hilliard replaced him. Hilliard also was in Friday’s lineup against the Padres, playing center field and batting ninth.
Harris said he’s never felt anything like this before. Both Harris and manager Brian Snitker said that this is different from the outfielder’s back tightness in spring training.
Had this been later in the season, Harris said he “more than likely” would play through it.
Harris is 5-for-23 with an RBI and two stolen bases this season. He’s a key member of the Braves’ dangerous lineup.
The Braves approached this like they have other injury situations to this point: Why push players in the beginning of April when they will need them in September and, hopefully, October?
“We wanna make sure we get him right,” Snitker said. “He probably would have missed four or five days out of the lineup, so we decided to go ahead and take care of this.”
Harris is eligible to return April 17 in San Diego. In the meantime, the Braves will turn to Hilliard and White, two outfielders who had great springs.
“I always say, yeah, it’s an opportunity for somebody to do something really good,” Snitker said.
Added Harris: “Yeah, I’m confident in this team and anybody that can come up in any situation. Everybody comes up to the test and does what they need to do and does their job. So I’m just behind them at all times and just rooting them on.”
When Harris made the incredible catch Wednesday – plays like this are the norm for him – he didn’t even realize he’d hurt his back. “I guess in the moment, I had a lot of adrenaline going, so I didn’t really feel it until, I guess, after,” he said. Now, he’ll get rest and treatment until he can begin doing baseball activities again.
Over the offseason, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos built outfield depth for the organization. In spring training, the Braves had a large group of outfielders battling for roster spots.
Hilliard made his debut in 2019 and has been up and down between the majors and Triple-A ever since.
Could he one day have a breakout season?
“He could. He’s definitely, with the tools, he’s capable of that,” Snitker said. “Just in the right scenario and something clicks and he starts figuring things out. He’s along those lines with Eli. He’s a very skilled player and has tools and versatility because he can play all three positions and the arm – both of them throw really well. You never know on those guys, when it might click. Hopefully it’s now.”
Of White specifically, Snitker said: “I just love the tool set. I didn’t know that much about him. Showed the power, speed, ability to play all the outfield positions. Just a really talented player, and you know he’s a big strong guy. He had a really good spring, overall. Like I said, we’re very fortunate we have guys like that we can call on.”
Harris joins Max Fried, Raisel Iglesias, Kyle Wright and Collin McHugh on the injured list. (This doesn’t include Tyler Matzek, Huascar Ynoa and Kolby Allard, who are on the 60-day IL.)
Now, Harris can rest up and get healthy again.
“Of course I didn’t want to come out (of the game), but I feel like it was best for me to take some precaution early in the season and not let it get worse,” Harris said. “Just taking the time and letting it heal before it gets any worse.”
Braves haven’t confirmed anything with Wright
All signs seem to be positive for Kyle Wright, who is eligible to return Tuesday against the Reds.
Will he?
There’s no official word yet. The Braves will see how he continues progressing, and how his next bullpen session goes. Wright doesn’t know if he’ll be activated that day.
Could another rehab start be a possibility?
“I don’t know,” Snitker said.
He paused, then added with a smile: “Anything’s possible.”
Fried felt ‘great’ jogging out to the field
Thursday, as you know, was the Braves’ home opener, so they did pregame introductions as if it were opening day.
When Fried was announced, he jogged on to the field to join the line of Braves players, coaches and staff members.
“I told him to be careful when he ran out there,” Snitker said jokingly. “That’s the first running he’s done since he got hurt.
“I did ask actually I did ask him, and he said it felt great when he jogged out there. So that was really good. Good sign. He feels really good.”
Fried has been able to keep his arm going, but the Braves are more focused on him covering first base, fielding bunts and things like that. Fried hasn’t progressed to those things yet.
Fried is on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.
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