Reinforcements are on the way for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves will reinstate All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies from the injured list after a nearly two-month absence. Meanwhile, they optioned infielder Cavan Biggio to Triple-A Gwinnett. Albies, 27, will only bat from the right side of the plate for the time being, as he still feels discomfort when hitting left-handed. However, Albies has always been a stronger hitter from the right side of the plate, boasting a career .932 OPS against left-handed pitchers.
Braves Welcome Back Ozzie Albies from IL
Albies has been sidelined for nearly two months, dating back to July 21 when he suffered a wrist fracture in Atlanta’s 6-2 defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was trying to field a throw at second on a stolen-base attempt and bent his glove hand back when he collided with Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani. Albies is batting .258 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 90 games this season. In his first game action since his injury, the switch-hitter launched a three-run homer in a rehab appearance for the Stripers on September 17. Albies went 2-for-5 with two singles the next day.
As of late, the Braves have been reliant on veteran Whit Merrifield. Merrifield, 35, batted .269/.374/.370 in 36 games with Atlanta. The Braves signed him earlier this summer after the Philadelphia Phillies released him. Atlanta could ease Albies into the lineup and have him platoon with Merrifield. Braves second baseman are hitting .220/.319/.296 in 216 plate appearances since Albies’ absence.
The timing of Albies return couldn’t have come sooner. The Braves are 1 1/2 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets for the final postseason spot in the National League. Atlanta holds the tiebreak over Arizona but has split the season series with the Mets. That will decide that tiebreaker with a three-game set at home early next week.
Main Photo: © Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
