SAN DIEGO – The Braves activated Max Fried from the injured list.
In the process, another member of the opening-day roster hit the injured list.
The Braves placed Lucas Luetge on the 15-day injured list, backdated to April 14, with left bicep inflammation. Luetge, the latest member of Atlanta’s bullpen to hit the IL, isn’t eligible to return until April 29.
“We stayed away from him all weekend hoping it would get better, and it didn’t,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We just figured he wasn’t going to be able to pitch, so we just wanted to get him better also. It’d been bothering him since we got to Kansas City and we just tried to get by without it. Really, couldn’t go any further.”
Luetge, a lefty, has allowed six earned runs over 6-2/3 innings this season. He has struck out six batters and walked four.
He hadn’t pitched since April 12, when he allowed an earned run over two innings, but teams can only backdate injured list placements a maximum of three days.
“This isn’t precautionary, it’s a necessity,” Snitker said of the injured list placement. “He wasn’t able to throw. We’re just going to get him treatment and see how he responds.”
On Monday, Fried shut out the Padres over five innings in Atlanta’s 2-0 victory in the series opener. He allowed four hits and struck out four batters.
Fried threw a simulated game at Truist Park last week, but he didn’t go on a rehab assignment. That he did this after such a long layoff was impressive.
“That’s why he’s a number one,” Snitker said after the game. “Those guys can do that. He did a great job keeping himself ready, preparing. You’re never going to have to worry about Max not being ready and doing his work and all that. That’s one of the most dedicated guys I’ve ever been around in my life.”
From Atlanta’s projected bullpen, closer Raisel Iglesias, Collin McHugh and now Luetge are all on the injured list. Iglesias began the year on the injured list.
Snitker said McHugh is scheduled to throw for High-A Rome on a rehab assignment on Tuesday. McHugh, who is on the injured list because of right shoulder inflammation, is eligible to return Friday. Snitker said the Braves don’t know how many rehab outings McHugh might need before they activate him.
Iglesias threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, the manager said. He’s also been dealing with right shoulder inflammation.
“He said he feels great,” Snitker said. “Now it’s just a matter of the progression.”
For Iglesias, this will be like building up in spring training. He’ll throw bullpen sessions, then face live hitters, then get into games (wherever they may be).
At this point, the Braves are also without Michael Harris II, Travis d’Arnaud and Orlando Arcia. Despite dealing with injuries, the Braves arrived in San Diego with the second-best record in baseball, and the best in the National League.
Where is Harris in his progression?
“Same place he’s been,” Snitker said. “Just rehabbing. It’s not there yet.”
On Saturday, Harris said he would probably begin taking batting practice within the coming days. It doesn’t appear he’s been cleared for that yet.
A crazy Sean Murphy stat
Dating to April 6, Murphy’s last 10 hits are all of the extra-base variety.
This streak matches the longest run of consecutive extra-base hits in Atlanta Braves history (since 1966), tying Gary Matthews Sr., who did it in 1979. Only one player in Braves history has a longer streak than Murphy: Wally Berger of the Boston Braves collected 12 straight extra-base hits in 1935.
Entering Monday’s series opener in San Diego, Murphy was 9-for-his-last-23. That included six doubles and three homers. He also drove in 11 runs over that span.
Kyle Wright gets creative
A lot happened in an action-packed game on Sunday.
A funny moment from Kyle Wright might’ve been lost in the shuffle. It had to do with gripping the ball as well as he could.
At first pitch of Sunday’s game, it was 51 degrees and windy. Super windy. Wright found it difficult to grip the baseball.
So what did he do?
He watched Royals starter Zack Greinke, who kept blowing into his hand.
“I tried that and it seemed to work for me a little bit,” Wright said with a smile. “I kept trying to lick my fingers, but when my mouth gets dry, there’s nothing I can do.”
