The Braves got some pretty sweet news after a pretty sweet All-Star game: ace Max Fried is recovering well and on track to return to the majors this season.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried took the first step in his recovery from his forearm injury last week, making his first rehab start with the Gwinnett Stripers.
After that game, Fried had an all-time quote: "It was cool to come back, but I wish I wasn't here."
Braves fans were wishing the exact same thing, and week after week, their wishes may be slowly coming true.
Fried didn't particularly impress in his Triple-A outing, but he didn't implode, either. No injury setbacks. No on-field meltdown. Per The Athletic's Jeff Schultz, he's set to make his second rehab start for High-A Rome this Saturday.
Gwinnett will be traveling to Memphis for a road game, and Atlanta wants to keep Fried near and dear to monitor his progress.
There's still no timeline on exactly when Fried could make his return to the majors. Make no mistake, though, this is great news.
Braves: Max Fried will make second rehab start this week
The 29-year-old ace has encountered his fair share of injury speed bumps in the 2023 season: first, it was a strained hamstring on Opening Day. Then, the forearm issue.
Fried was put on the injured list after just 26 innings, and while the Braves have powered through the NL East in his absence, they're going to need him when the postseason comes around.
In Fried's first rehab start for Gwinnett, he was limited to 35 total pitches; he allowed two walks and one single and was pulled in the second inning. The Braves expect Fried to take greater strides toward his recovery in the next few weeks with hopefully a more confident performance in High-A this weekend.
Getting Fried back in the top-three rotation will be one crucial ingredient in the team's recipe for success in 2023.
