Ozzie Albies has started hitting, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic, and he could be able to come off the 10-day disabled list on Friday when he becomes eligible again. If he’s not ready to leave on Friday, though, he should be back shortly. A week ago, Albies was hit by a pitch and broke his right toe. In the All-Star’s absence, David Fletcher and Luis Guillorme have been playing second base for Atlanta. The news is welcome, particularly considering that on Sunday, Albies was not donning a walking boot for protection.
The team was impacted by Albies’ departure since he was a reliable, powerful hitter. He hit.317/.386/.492 to start the year off to a scorching start. Losing that level of output was inconvenient for Atlanta, which is also without Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider. Murphy is recovering from an olbique strain, while Strider is out due to season-ending elbow surgery. It is not ideal to have three important contributors out at the same time. During the past five seasons, Albies has been placed on the injured list four times.
The second baseman has experienced injuries since joining Double-A Mississippi in 2016. Late in the season, he took a swing and broke his elbow. He did, however, make it to the majors about a year later. Next, Albies’ right wrist bone bruise kept him out of half of the 2020 season, which was cut short by COVID-19. Then, during the 2022 season, he took a swing and broke his left foot. That year, Albies did not play in the postseason either, since it concluded just a day after he came off the injured list for three months.
Fletcher gave Altanta a little depth throughout the whole diamond. He has played the outfield corners and the three infield spots to the left of first base. Fletcher has a reputation for being a solid defender who approaches the plate contact-oriented. In the shorter 2020 season, he put up a great showing, hitting.319/.376/.425. Following that season, Fletcher was granted a five-year agreement by the Los Angeles Angels. Sadly, his output declined, showing that his 2020 season was a glaring anomaly. Throughout his career, he has hit.277/.323/.359 and, since the 2020 season,.259/.296/.327.
Fletcher was placed on waivers twice by the Angels last season. He chose free agency since he had more than three years of service time and no club had claimed him. After he joined with Atlanta, they immediately removed him from the roster. But Albies’ injury made it possible for Fletvher to make a comeback to the majors. He could choose free agency without having to forfeit any money on his contract if he is removed from the roster once more and clears waivers.