By MIKE ROBERTS
The recent California road trip was unkind to the Atlanta Braves, who were swept by the San Diego Padres in three games before losing two of three games to the San Francisco Giants. Atlanta has gone 3-7 in its last 10 and no longer has the best record in Major League Baseball, though, at 49-33, the Braves still lead the Phillies by three games in the National League East.
So what’s gone wrong for the Braves? Injuries have a lot to do with it. Here are four currently sidelined Braves players that the team misses the most.
C Sean Murphy
Murphy (.071 AVG., .143 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB) is likely still more than a month away from returning to the team after suffering a broken middle finger in May. When healthy, he can share catching duties with Drake Baldwin (.260 AVG., .814 OPS, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 1 SB), who missed about a month earlier this season.
The Braves have tried out several catchers like Chadwick Tromp (.250 AVG., .527 OPS, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB) and Sandy Leon (.091 AVG., .182 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB). Yet, those guys just haven’t been the answer. The Braves also recently traded for catcher Joey Bart (.246 AVG., .665 OPS, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB) from the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the former second overall pick was a decent pickup, Murphy is the better option.
RP Robert Suarez
The Braves need bullpen depth, but it’s hard to come by right now. On Friday, the bullpen got even worse as the team placed the right-handed Suarez (4-0, 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Hurston Waldrep (0.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP) was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill that roster spot. Fortunately, Suarez’s MRI revealed there was no structural damage, and he’s expected to return in early July before the All-Star break.
Suarez, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Braves during the offseason, has been one of the league’s top relievers this year in the setup role in front of Raisel Iglesias (0-2, 1.37 ERA, 1.06 WHIP). In 31 appearances, Suarez has recorded four saves and 26 strikeouts.
SP Spencer Strider
Atlanta would absolutely love to add a healthy Strider (4-2, 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) back to the rotation. The 2023 All-Star went down with arm issues earlier this month, and it remains to be seen when he’ll return to the mound for the Braves.
There was speculation that Strider would need elbow surgery, but thankfully, that was ruled out, though he was ultimately placed on the 60-day injured list. Whenever Strider returns, he could be put in the bullpen to rebuild his arm strength as well as limit his pitch count. Whether he’s a starter or reliever, he would definitely improve Atlanta’s pitching.
OF Ronald Acuña, Jr.
When you can only muster up one hit for an entire game, as the Braves did in a 5-0 loss to San Francisco on Saturday, you’re not going to win.
Atlanta really misses Acuña, (.251 AVG., .793 OPS, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 15 SB), who’s been out of action with a strained hamstring since June 9 – his second stint on the IL the season. When healthy, the 2023 MVP and five-time All-Star is easily one of the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball. Acuña went wild in late May, homering in four straight games. The Braves need his big-time bat back in the lineup, as soon as possible.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Braves return home for a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, starting Tuesday, and a four-game series against the New York Mets that begins Friday. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Tuesday, 6/30: 7:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, Matthew Liberatore (STL) (3-5, 5.56 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) vs. Martin Perez (ATL) 6-4, 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP)
Wednesday, 7/1: 7:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, Michael McGreevy (STL) (3-6, 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (ATL) (3-1, 3.47 ERA, 1.37 WHIP)
Thursday, 7/2: 7:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, Dustin May (STL) (5-6, 4.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) vs. TBD (ATL)
Friday, 7/3: 7:15 PM BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (NYM) (2-0, 3.20 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) vs. TBD (ATL)
Saturday, 7/4: 8:08 PM, FOX, TBD (NYM) vs. TBD (ATL)
Sunday, 7/5: 12:30 PM, NBC/Peacock, TBD (NYM) vs. TBD (ATL)