Max Fried, competing for a more secure role in the Braves rotation, was struck in the hip by a line drive and removed after the second inning in game one of a doubleheader against the Nationals Tuesday. The Braves lost, 8-3.
Fried was injured trying to dodge the ball, not by its impact. He left with a left-groin strain, according to the team.
“It was a freak thing,” he said. “I saw the ball come at me and I just tried a quick movement and the positioning I was in caused it to spasm and lock up on me.”
He was placed on the 10-day disabled list following the game, as was reliever Shane Carle with right shoulder inflammation. The Braves promoted lefty Adam McCreery and right-hander Wes Parsons before game two.
Spencer Kieboom hit a ball that bounced off Fried’s left hip. He picked it up and threw to first for the out, and didn’t appear in any serious pain. Kolby Allard began warming up and entered in the third inning.
“I think the bruise or where he got hit might’ve been OK, but his groin, when he flinched out of the way, that went and you can’t pitch with that,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He was doing fine. Believe me, I didn’t want to take him out in the second inning.”
Starter Kevin Gausman pinch-hit for Fried in the next inning, drawing a walk to become the first Brave to reach base. Snitker didn’t want to burn one of his bench bats so early in the game.
Snitker nor Fried gave a timetable for his recovery. Luiz Gohara, Kolby Allard and Touki Toussaint are candidates to make future start(s) in his place.
Fried’s exit was especially inconvenient due to the Braves’ schedule. They play 48 games in 48 days, with only three total off days remaining.
“That’s what kills me the most,” said Fried, who’s recently overcome persistent blister problems. “Just knowing I put these guys in a harder position. It’s going to be a long end to the season. I was just trying to do my part to get us through it. It was just really frustrating.”
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