The Atlanta Braves’ season has been difficult thus far, but things are beginning to change in their favor. They have regained sole ownership of the top Wild Card slot in the National League by winning five of their previous six games. Reynaldo Lopez’s injury worry was averted, which was the worst-case situation. Max Fried and Michael Harris II, two more injured players, ought to return shortly.
Which team will be favored to win the National League Pennant? No. Do they have to be in order to accomplish that? Nope. Given the caliber of their pitching staff and their prior performance, it wouldn’t be shocking to witness them repeat the feat.
The Braves roster will look different come September 1st without these three guys on it as they continue to improve their health and prepare ready for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
3) When Michael Harris returns from the injured list, Ramon Laureano will no longer be on the roster.
Due mostly to injuries, the Braves have spent a large portion of the season experimenting with different lineup combinations in an attempt to identify what works. Late in May, Ronald Acuña Jr. was declared out for the season. Due to an injury, Michael Harris II has been out since the middle of June.
It’s one thing to lose one of them, but it’s rather difficult to recover from losing both at once. Fortunately, Harris is scheduled to return around August 14, which is when he may be taken off the 60-day inactive list.
With Harris’s imminent comeback, a position will open up for someone else. This isn’t a simple decision, but this boils down to either sending down the sole backup infielder on Atlanta’s bench, Luke Williams, or DFA’ing an outfielder, Ramon Laureano, who’d never see the field when Harris returned. Although Laureano is clearly superior to Williams, he doesn’t make sense in terms of fit for when Harris returns.
If Harris returns to a regular role, Atlanta would likely platoon Jarred Kelenic in left field with Adam Duvall, just as they did earlier in the season, and have Jorge Soler play a lot in right. Eddie Rosario, a left-handed hitter off their bench, would still be available to them. They would also cut bait with Laureano, who has performed OK for Atlanta but is hardly Michael Harris.
2) Unless he improves his pitching, Luke Jackson won’t be on the roster by September 1.
The Braves oddly also obtained Luke Jackson in the Soler trade. Yes, Jackson was a member of the team that won the World Series in 2021, but he has struggled this season, recording a 5.35 ERA in 37 games and 35.1 innings pitched for the Braves and Giants.
He recorded a hold in his first at-bat since being re-acquired on Thursday, but that came after he gave up a run-scoring single on his second pitch. Although Jackson started the inning with two outs and managed to get the next batter out to preserve Atlanta’s lead, it wasn’t the best start to the season when he gave up a run to one of the runners he inherited.
It feels like the Braves have better alternatives, to put it simply. Daysbel Hernandez, who has only given up one earned run in 11 innings of work this season in the Major League Baseball, is likely a more deserving candidate for a chance than Jackson, who has had a difficult season overall.
Sure, Jackson can continue with the Braves if he starts pitching great out of nowhere. We’ve seen several pitchers (notably Jesse Chavez) suddenly figure it out with the magic of wearing a Braves uniform. Until that happens, though, it’s impossible to anticipate Jackson will be on the roster for too long.
1) Dylan Lee may be optioned, so he won’t be on the roster by September 1.
Another injured Brave, Max Fried, hopes to play Sunday against the Marlins in the series finale. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but either way, he’ll be back sometime very shortly. When he does return, he has to take someone else’s spot. That’s where things get tricky.
If Reynaldo Lopez isn’t going to pitch in the next few days, the Braves could send Dylan Lee to the minor leagues, DFA a successful pitcher like Grant Holmes, or place him on the injured list.
Although it’s unfair that this is even being discussed, the Braves would essentially have to choose between keeping both Holmes and Lee in the organization and sending Lee down to the minors, or having another team claim Holmes off of waivers. Lee does not deserve to be sent down with as much as he has pitched.
Early in July, the Braves sent Lee down, so it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if they did it again. He’ll be back, but even though the Braves have Holmes available as an option, it would be foolish to DFA an established arm when they can send Lee down without losing a player.
