Ozzie Albies Eyes Late September Return to Braves Lineup
The Atlanta Braves have been eagerly awaiting the return of their star second baseman, Ozzie Albies, and it appears that their patience may soon pay off. Albies, who has been sidelined since July 21 due to a fractured left wrist, aims to rejoin the lineup before September 29. However, his return comes with a notable adjustment as he will be limited to batting right-handed due to the lingering discomfort in his left wrist.
This setback has kept Albies off the field for over two months, and the Braves have certainly felt his absence. Before his injury, Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases across 90 games, contributing an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Despite these solid numbers, his left wrist's discomfort persists, particularly when swinging from the left side. This has necessitated a strategic change upon his return, given his career OPS of .947 from the right compared to .738 from the left.
On the path to recovery, Albies has been diligent about ensuring he is fully prepared before stepping back onto the field. "Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back," Albies remarked. "I want to make sure I can just check the boxes that need to be checked to be 100% ready to play, and that's it."
In Albies' absence, Whit Merrifield has stepped in admirably as the Braves' second baseman. Merrifield, who joined the Braves after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, has managed a .269/.374/.370 slash line in 36 games with Atlanta. His performance has provided some stability, but the team eagerly anticipates Albies' return to bolster their playoff push.
The Braves currently lead the National League wild-card race by a narrow half-game margin over the New York Mets, making Albies' return all the more crucial. However, Braves manager Brian Snitker has been cautious in commenting on the specifics of Albies' return. "We haven't talked about it yet," Snitker mentioned, indicating a careful approach to reintegrating Albies into the lineup.
As the Braves inch closer to their postseason aspirations, Albies' right-handed batting prowess could be a significant advantage. His career stats indicate a substantial boost from the right side, and his return could add a much-needed spark to the lineup. The fans and the team alike are keen to see Albies back in action, hoping that his presence will help secure their position in the playoffs.