The Atlanta Braves are in a bit of a slide right now, and they’ll have to dig out of it without one of their best players. Michael Harris II is out of the lineup again Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, still dealing with the back injury that forced him out of Tuesday’s game.
The Braves confirmed the move a few hours before first pitch. Harris hasn’t played since he exited early that night, and the team hasn’t exactly flooded the zone with updates on his condition. No MRI results have been announced. No return timeline. Just a lot of waiting and wondering.
What’s the deal with Harris?
Harris has been a steady presence in center field and at the plate for Atlanta this season, so his absence is a real problem. The 24-year-old is hitting around .280 with double-digit homers and solid defense. Losing him for any stretch hurts, especially when the pitching staff is already dealing with injuries of its own.
The Braves haven’t said whether this is a day-to-day thing or something more serious. That lack of clarity tends to make fans nervous, and rightfully so. Back issues can linger for weeks if not handled carefully, and Atlanta can’t afford to rush him back only to lose him for a longer stretch down the road.
Three-game skid and counting
Atlanta has dropped three in a row heading into Friday. They’re 4-6 over their last 10 games, which is not panic-button territory for a team that’s been near the top of the NL East all year, but it’s enough to feel the heat a little. The Brewers aren’t exactly a pushover either, so snapping that streak won’t be automatic.
Manager Brian Snitker didn’t have much to say about Harris beyond the obvious. The team is hopeful it’s minor. That’s about all anyone’s getting for now.
Atlanta’s offense has been spotty during this slide, and without Harris in the lineup, the top of the order loses some of its pop and speed. The Braves have other guys who can produce, but losing a Gold Glove caliber center fielder is never ideal. Jarred Kelenic has been getting the start in center in Harris’s absence, and he’s had his moments but isn’t the same kind of threat.
The Braves are still in a good spot overall, but the margin for error gets thinner when injuries pile up and the wins stop coming so easily. More updates on Harris are expected soon, though the team hasn’t committed to a timeline. For now, Atlanta just has to figure out how to win without him.
Leave a Comment