No team has been hit harder by injuries than the Atlanta Braves. Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. have each missed the majority of the season and won’t be back until 2025. Austin Riley is out for the rest of the regular season, with his postseason return uncertain. Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Sean Murphy, Max Fried, and Reynaldo Lopez have also been sidelined for significant stretches due to injuries.
Luckily for the Braves, many of these players have now returned, with more help on the way. Ozzie Albies, the team’s standout second baseman who has been out since late July, is set to rejoin the lineup for their weekend series against the Miami Marlins, as reported by Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Getting Ozzie Albies back, even if he’ll only bat right-handed, is vital for the Braves. For one, he’s always been a top-tier hitter from the right side. Additionally, even with his limited role, Albies is still an upgrade over players like Whit Merrifield or Gio Urshela, who had been filling in during his absence.
However, the timing of his return is less than ideal. Following their win, Atlanta now sits 1.5 games behind both the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, who have games later that day. Depending on how those play out, the Braves could be either 1.0 or 2.0 games back as they head into their series against the Marlins. Atlanta has just nine games left on their schedule.
Ultimately, Atlanta’s season may hinge on a three-game series against the Mets, making Albies’ return especially critical. For starters, he has a .775 OPS at Truist Park this year, which is significantly better than his .665 mark on the road. He’s also driven in six runs in six games against the Mets this season, and his 20 career home runs against them are more than he’s hit against any other team.
In short, Albies has been more effective at home, performed well against the Mets this season, and hit for more power against them throughout his career than any other opponent. His return comes at a crucial moment, especially with that series on the horizon.
Given their track record and their ability to stay competitive all season, it would be unwise to count the Braves out until they’re mathematically eliminated. Having Albies back, even if he’s not at 100%, gives them a real shot at making a postseason run.
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