With the National League wild-card race heating up, the Atlanta Braves are bracing for a significant boost as Ozzie Albies aims to return to the lineup before September 29. The dynamic second baseman has been sidelined since July 21 due to a fractured left wrist, which means his return could be a pivotal moment for the Braves.
Albies, who has been a cornerstone for the Braves, will be limited to batting right-handed upon his return. This is largely because swinging from the left side continues to cause discomfort in his healing wrist. Despite this limitation, Albies' right-handed prowess is well-documented; he boasts a career OPS of .947 from that side of the plate, significantly higher than his .738 OPS from the left. Prior to his injury, Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in 90 games. His overall contributions were valued at an estimated 1.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
When asked about his anticipated return, Albies stated, "Everybody on the team is asking me when I'm going to be back. 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." His eagerness to rejoin his teammates is palpable, reflecting the deep commitment he has towards the team’s goals.
In Albies' absence, Whit Merrifield has filled the void admirably. Merrifield, who was released by the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Braves, has posted a slash line of .269/.374/.370 in 36 games. Though not as explosive as Albies, Merrifield's consistent performance has provided the Braves with a degree of stability that has helped keep them in contention. The Braves are currently leading the National League wild-card race by a slim margin of half a game over the New York Mets.
Despite the mounting anticipation around Albies' return, Braves' manager Brian Snitker has remained cautious in his comments. "We haven't talked about it yet," Snitker remarked, indicating that the team is focused on ensuring Albies’ complete readiness rather than rushing his comeback. This approach highlights the importance the Braves place on their postseason aspirations—they want Albies contributing at his best, not merely present on the field.
Albies has not played at the big-league level for over two months, and his re-entry into the lineup is expected to provide a considerable boost, both in spirit and on the scoreboard. The Braves, already in a tight race, could greatly benefit from his right-handed hitting capability, especially given his career numbers. With the wild-card race being as close as it is, every marginal gain could be the difference between making or missing the playoffs.
As the Braves inch closer to the postseason, Albies’ potential impact cannot be overstated. His teammates are undoubtedly aware of the lift he can provide, and Albies himself is keenly aware of the expectations placed upon him. His methodical approach to returning—ensuring all "boxes that need to be checked" are indeed checked—speaks to his professionalism and dedication.
For the Braves, the season's final stretch is as much about managing the health and readiness of their key players as it is about winning games. Albies' return aligns perfectly with this philosophy, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the regular season and a potentially deep postseason run.