April 14: Both Fried and Pache have been placed on the 10-day IL, the Braves announced. Fried has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain, while Pache has a groin strain. Atlanta recalled outfielder Heredia and lefty Tucker Davidson from the alternate site to fill the roster vacancies. Davidson will head to the ’pen for now, though it seems quite likely that the Braves will make a move to bring up another starter (e.g. Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright) when Fried’s spot is up next in the rotation.
April 13: The Braves received some troubling injury news Tuesday: Left-hander Max Fried will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring, while center fielder Cristian Pache is headed to the 10-day injured list with a left groin issue (Twitter links via Mark Bowman of MLB.com).
Tuesday was a nightmare evening for Fried, who suffered the injury on the base paths and posted a disastrous performance on the mound. The 27-year-old lasted just four innings in a 14-8 loss to the Marlins, who pummeled Fried for eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, three strikeouts and two walks. It was the second straight subpar start for Fried, owner of a hideous 11.45 ERA in 11 innings. Fried hasn’t been able to follow up on his resounding success in 2020, when he tied for eighth in ERA (2.25) among those who totaled at least 50 frames and wound up fifth in NL Cy Young voting.
Pache, 22, as joined Fried in recording awful production early on, having picked up just three hits in 31 plate appearances with 11 strikeouts against one walk. The Braves are likely to recall outfielder Guillermo Heredia to take Pache’s roster spot, per Bowman. Ender Inciarte seems like the favorite to get the lion’s share of playing time in center, though.
That sucks
Braves got beat by Duvall yesterday who they could’ve had cheap.
Or maybe he preferred the opportunity to play every day & maximize his career earnings.
They released him at the beginning of the off-season, they just didn’t want to pay him his in arbitration which looked like the wrong move considering the DH is coming.
Ozuna > Duvall and I’m a Duvall fan.
Dare I say again, the dominos are falling. Sigh!
Anyways, Pache can stay in AAA once he is healthy. Lets see how much longer the Braves keep hanging on to their prized prospects instead of taking advantage of the small window.
Yes, 2 weeks into his first MLB season makes you forget about holding onto other top prospects: Acuña, Albies, Anderson, Soroka, etc, etc, etc.
There is always a rationalizing argument here.
Each of those players was brought up during the rebuilding phase. Trading them made no sense at the time.
They went into this season following an embarrassing collapse knowing they had questions in the bullpen, 3rd base, and CF.
I don’t think Pache in center has been a question because he’s been as billed. Strong defensively with little bat. If the lineup is humming and he’s a weak spot, that’s one thing. It just becomes more noticeable when some guys have started slow and Riley has given nothing.
With you on the bullpen and third, though. Only issue is if you turn to Sandoval to fill third, you weaken your razor thin bench. Just feels like the overall roster regressed.
Embarrassing collapse? What the Braves did vs. LA last year should be applauded, not ridiculed. You need to win 4 games before the other team does; Atlanta started the series off hot but the better team won in the end. The fact that Atlanta manhandled the Dodgers for two of those games and jumped out to a 3-0 series lead was quite impressive and what Pache did in the playoffs made me a big fan of his in CF (much bigger fan of Pache vs. Adell so far). The Braves are right where they need to be from a veteran talent perspective, young MLB contributor perspective and from a farm perspective. As with any other contending club, they will need their key players to stay healthy for most of the season if they want to win it all. The Braves are absolutely in a group of about 5-6 teams who could win it all this year. Nearly all the pieces are in place. A couple of shrewd deadline deals and getting some players back from injury will position this team really well. All this and I’m not even a Braves fan! If I were, I’d be super excited about their prospects for this year and for years to come as well. I hope my Red Sox are heading in the same direction, organizationally, as Atlanta!
Your Red Sox won a championship in 04, 07, 13, and 17. Trust me, the Sox don’t have a problem and will likely be a contender at any moment given their ability to buy players.
The Braves do not have a large window. Their division is only going to get stronger. They have cheap owners and a passive GM. You are regurgitating what the media tells you.
What potential trade where they rumored to be involved did they not make are you referring to? Clevinger last year? (lol) Or are you speaking in generalities because you’re frustrated?
Braves are one of the most successful franchises in baseball over past 30+ years. Ridiculous to ridicule them in comparison to the most successful franchise. And even more hilarious to be afraid of anyone else in that division long term.
Why do the most successful franchises in terms of money per win get the most sh it here? The rays, A’s Cleveland and braves.
Stop trying to get this ridiculous narrative over that spending equals winning.
Haters gonna hate
How don’t the Braves have a large window? RAJ and Albies are locked up for years. Ozuna is there for awhile. The pitching is young. Freeman most likely will get extended.
The ownership is not cheap. They’re really fielding an upper-mid level payroll. If Inciarte wasn’t still under a decent sized contract and they hadn’t overpaid Smyly, they probably could have done more. It’s not the size of the pie, it’s how it’s divided a bit.
Rays haven’t won a World Series.
A’s haven’t won an ALCS during the Beane era.
Cleveland hasn’t won a World Series since 1948.
Braves won the World Series in 1995 when they spent money.
Stop pushing your false narrative IverB.
Only one team in 30 gets to win a WS. Yes, that’s the goal. Complaining because a team is put in position to have a chance at winning it, is just annoying. Its easy to second guess when there are no limits. Every teams GM, in reality, has limits to deal with.
The Braves are not one of the most successful franchises over the last 30 years. They only have one championship. They are one of the most competitive franchises over the last 30 years but the ultimate goal is to win it all and to this point they’re a one-hit wonder in that category.
This is coming from a Braves fan.
This is coming from a (dumb, reactionary) Braves fan.
There, I fixed it for you. You are welcome.
The Braves were up 3-1, not 3-0. Only the 2004 Yankees have ever blown a 3-0 series lead in MLB.
Well the Yankees tend to be Top 3 in payroll every year and they haven’t won it all in 10 years. So spending does not equal championships
Braves were not up 3-0 last year – They lost game( 3) 15-3 vs LAD
Dumb and reactionary? This is a 30-year sample size. We’ve only won the World Series once despite all the great teams we’ve had. There’s no reason for this team to not have four or five titles in those 30 years.
You are 100 percent correct. AA is a prospect hoarder. It might be because Acuna and Albies are so good that they are hesitant. Pache is so overrated it’s comical. He flat out can’t hit. Amazing fielder but top 20 prospect in the sport is ridiculous. His comp is Kevin Pillar lol. They really need to trade him at peak value and get a haul now.
You’re right, but AA’s success already only proves why he’s doing it. All these gripes about trades never consummated are silly considering none of us know the facts or involved with the discussions, though we do know that most often the players not involved in deals are the ones leading the team to division championships and one of the few teams capable of knocking off Goliath (LAD).
When was the last time a top prospect got “a haul”? Maybe a part of a haul, but not trading for one. If ground floor is elite defense/speed at MLB min wage — how is that a bad thing? How many years did Buxton hit under 100 OPS+ working through injuries and offensive inconsistencies with elite def?
Just because there hasn’t been a rumored player out there available that AA missed out on doesn’t mean holding on to every prospect is worth it. Riley and Pache are both awful hitters. Swanson is too and the delusional that he will one day break out is keeping ATL from making a SS upgrade. Wright was a top 5 pick who is just meh. They have let too many assets go to waste and become non-impact MLB players.
Joey Wentz, Lucas Sims, Travis Demeritte, Kolby Allard, Bruce Zimmerman, Jean Carlos Encarnacion, Brett Cumberland, Tristan Beck, Dan Winkler — all traded during AA’s time. Wright was not a AA draft pick (Coppy). They haven’t kept everyone, but they haven’t traded their top prospects — and I can imagine it has something to do with not having the ability to replenish that easily because of the loss of draft picks, international signing money and minor-league depth from Coppy’s wrongdoing. Look at what SD has been able to do without those penalties. Regardless, it’s silly to bemoan not making a trade when you don’t have concrete evidence of a deal. Just because you think Waters, Riley, player X, player Y can get Jose Ramirez does not actually mean they can get Jose Ramirez.
Those are all mid level prospects every team has. Braves were a player away from beating the Dodgers in 2020. 2019 a freak occurrence occurred and the Dodgers didn’t make the NLCS so the. Braves missed a massive opportunity. ATL has yet to make the big move that puts them over the top. Now the Dodgers are unstoppable. That’s why the Braves “very year is a learning experience” mentality is extremely flawed. 2018 they get pass. After that there are no more learning experiences. AA hasn’t done enough and holding on to too many prospects is a major part of it.
We were a decent starting pitcher away from the World Series and the market ultimately proved to be full of them at the trade deadline. Key word is decent, not superstar. We needed a min of 2 decent pitchers at the deadline and AA didn’t even get one. It was a giant insult to every single Braves fan that spends their hard earned money on tickets, cable just to watch them, and merchandise for him to do that last year. Brutal
I’m thinking it’s more Fried is sucking right now and not so much his hammy.
DH in NL now!
@inkstainedscribe, Never
It will there in 2022. Too late for all pitchers who will get hurt this year.
If Pache is injured, why not call up Drew Waters?
@cheervyladdy, because Waters is even worse at striking out than Pache is and not nearly as good defensively. Both of the young Harris’s are better than waters.
Fried’s abysmal start has been the surprise of the season for me so far.
Only two games so far. He has another 20+ to go. He’s too talented to keep throwing clunkers. Look what Bauer finally did tonight.
Bauer has not thrown a clunker yet if you’re paying attention
He threw 6 no hit innings at Col, then gave up 2 bombs during a 4 home run inning for Col. It was 8-0. It didn’t matter
He threw 6 2/3 shutout vs the As and owned Colorado today again with just 1 hit in 7 full. He’s 2-0 with a 2.70 era, and is leading the NL in Ks
Fried wishes he was Bauer. As do the Braves
Getting his innings in before he has to stop cheating.
Literally could be said about 80% of pitchers in the league
Mantooth you aren’t paying attention. I get that you hate the man but at least use logic in your argument. If you are an analytics honk you’d take back your statement. McCourt put you in your place, and it wasn’t difficult.
@Dorothy_Mantooth It’s not only the results though. He’s just looked bad start to finish in both games. It was shocking to me, which is why this injury news makes some sense. Something is off about Fried right now.
Bauer has thrown 20 inns this year
19 of them have been scoreless
He gave up 4 er in the 7th inn in Col when the Dodgers were up 7-0 .
He was throwing a no-hitter until the 7th that day in Coors
There might not be a more locked in pitcher in all MLB
I am not a Bauer fan particularly
I have watched most of his games this year & thus far pache is willie mays hayes….. you may run like hayes but you hit like Sh_t.
the dreaded groin injury for a guy hitting his girlfriends weight
Then he needs to start dating fat chicks ASAP
LOL! This is the threads best response. Bravo. Take a bow. =))
Agreed! I fell out of my chair reading that one!
Meh. Hammy Schmammie. Hes not stealing 3rd. Arm shoulder elbow fine. Good to go
You pitch with your legs darlin’
@slowcurve. What?!?! Now I could swear the rules said the pitcher must keep both feet firmly planted on the rubber and must be pointed toward home plate while he throws the pitch! =D
Things will get better, but it’s not fun being a Braves fan right now. =\
Here we go, another pitcher injured running the bases. I get people’s feelings against the DH but ultimately it just makes more sense to have it.
Ya..I’ve been a slow convert to the DH because I have all those fond memories of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz competing with each other over who has the best bat of the three but times have changed. It’s just not worth watching young pitchers get injured for .150/.180/.250 slash lines.
Pache could be the best defender at his position in all of baseball, but I don’t see how he got to be a consensus top 15-20 prospect. Top 50-75 for sure, but not top 15-20. He’s only ever once had an OPS of .750 or higher in a single season in the minors and his overall minor league line is .283/.331/.404.
Arizona Fall League 2 years in a row. Because of the weird opening season schedule the Braves have faced almost nothing but top 3 starters in the best Division in baseball.
You know I get it, but this is what I hate about scouting the stat line. The kid is 22, and made significant strides at AA, the level you want to see prospects have their highest OPS. Ops is important sure, but it’s a bit disingenuous to mention it without also associating that he was basically on par OPS wise or above average for the level especially being so young . We’re talking about less offensive friendly environments, especially in the FSL. Will he be a plus hitter who knows, but context is crucial if you want to just throw out a stat. He was consensus, because of the tool set and progression. I’m not even a Braves fan, & can see the unfairness in the statement.
Really, he sounds rushed AF
I compare Pache to Byron Buxton for the Twins. Took a couple of seasons but now look what Buxton is doing!!!
Patience, baby!!!
Prospect rankings are very fickle to begin with. Most seem to rank based on projectability followed by potential. His glove alone is enough to guarantee him a job for the next decade even if it’s as a backup outfielder on bad teams.
Maybe he’ll hit good enough to hold onto a spot at the bottom of the order of a contender. At the least, he’s destined to be one heck of a defensive replacement.
Braves aren’t going anywhere! They don’t have enough pitching depth.
Ready to give up on the Braves after 11 games? They almost went to the world series last year with less pitching depth. The braves have more depth in pitching this year than last. Ynoa has been really good and Bryse Wilson will more than likely take over for Fried. It’s the bullpen that needs adjusting.
There was no season last year ! Just a long spring training !
Not enough pitching depth? Ynoa painting corners like Rembrandt at 99 while Bryse Wilson is chomping at the bit. It’s gonna hurt if Soroka/Fried are both out an extended time but look what they did with less last year. Until we are Tomlin starting…
Typical Braves fan ! They always overrate their players ! That’s why 1 championship in 30 years! Ya you got it figured d… A.. !
Those teams between 1991 and 1996 should have won at least three championships. The front office brought in plenty of talent during that time. The players didn’t execute except for in 1995…and you can’t fault ownership and the front office when they put the pieces in place.
You sound like you have it figured out. Please go on and show yourself.
Are you suggesting that this franchise hasn’t wasted a ton of talent? You can’t win the World Series every year but you can certainly win more than one in 55 years with all the talent that has come through Atlanta.
Man that was quick we soured on Pache already? Kid should be able to hit 250 and play a stellar cf. We need Riley to give us something at 3B and re sign Duval for a cheap 1 yr deal then hit him drive in 7.
A couple of phantom injuries for two dudes underperforming. I’m not buying it.
Pache needs to go back down to AAA after the DL stint. He’s clearly overmatched and not ready for mlb pitching. I hate saying this as the alternative is Ender and Ender will be just as bad, but getting overmatched like he is can be horrible for a prospects development. And let’s not forget he’s barely had any time in Gwinnett and last year was a waste. He clearly needs more time to develop.
2nd note, this is why the NL needs the DH. Look, fried is brutal right now anyways and something is wrong to the point he needs this rest. But there is not excuse for pitchers to be hitting and getting injured. We don’t pay hitters to pitch, nor do we pay pitchers to hit. we must have a DH
You don’t pay them to pitch, but you do pay them to play both sides of the ball. I don’t even care one way or the other about the DH, I just want both leagues to be the same, but the idea that a pitcher is so unathletic that they can’t run the bases isn’t a good justification for the DH.
Anyone thinking Fried is “unathletic” doesn’t watch baseball. The man won a gold glove last year and looks like a prized thoroughbred galloping around the bases. Those using this to call for the DH are also looking to outlaw DVD shrinkwrap, suitcases, dirtbikes (MadBum, where ya at?) and washing cars – as they’ve all also contributed to pitcher injuries.
Then he should have no problem running the bases and that entire post I replied to is nonsense….almost like that was the point I was trying to make.
You’re welcome.
I didn’t say pitcher weren’t athletic nor even implied it. I’m simply saying that them getting injured to do what they aren’t paid to do is an outrage and easy to avoid. And saying hitters/pitchers are expected to play “both sides” of the ball is clearly someone who hasn’t played the game much, if at all. There are 3 basic skills in the game. Skill 1-pitch, Skill 2- hit, skill 3- field. They are 3 separate distinct basic skills you have in the game. And there is no debating that. Position players are paid to hit and field their position. Pitchers are paid to pitch and field their position. GM’s don’t go sign position players in hopes they will be effective pitchers, because that would be a waste of money and bad for the game. So how does anyone justify expecting pitchers to hit when GM’s don’t pay them for that skill. It’s insane. It’s absolutely insane and really inexcusable to defend not having a DH. It’s like expecting your plumber to do your electrical work simply because he’s handy. OUTRAGEOUS! I will concede though, that whatever mlb decides, it needs to be consistent throughout the entire league. But it needs to be a DH throughout the entire league and stop watching pitchers hit… cause it’s ugly and bad for baseball
Just say no ! No DH ! This is hardball not softball ! They are trying to speed game up . You can’t do that scoring 20 runs a game.
The Braves have serious pitching issues. That bullpen is mediocre at best. They knew this was a primary concern going into the year, and didn’t address it. Will Smith looks horrible. How no one hit him in San Fran is beyond me. How is it that the Phils go out and get two relief pitchers that throw 100 mph in Alvarado and Coonrod… while the Braves do nothing… Sigh…
I think you’re overreacting a bit but I do agree in general. Bullpen is a little bit of concern now. Especially since SP isn’t performing to par and dropping like flies. We are overusing them again like last year, except we don’t have the same depth. Thank god Ynoa has been a bright side in all this.
@bravesfan. The biggest surprise for me so far is Ynoa. He got rocked in spring training. Now he’s looking amazing. Bullpen is looking suspect .
They have always done that. That’s why 1 championship in 30 years.
Crazy how proud organizations are when it comes to them thinking they can develop talent. Braves are 2-3 years late from trading away a yuge slew of prospects, maybe greatest crop in modern era, for quality controllable big leaguers. Now they are stuck w a team full of young pretenders. Pache waters and Riley are complete busts. Wright mueller Wilson- busts. Allard and others kept to long with minimal or no return.
If Braves would have unloaded all or most of these guys – they’d have WAY more talent on their big league squad. Devers, Suarez, Arenado, Lynn and
many many more have been available over past couple seasons. Just doesn’t seem like Braves ever want to take that final step needed to put a complete team on the field that can win it all.
Waters is not going to be a bust. Pache isn’t, either. Pache has never been a hitter. He’s a gold glove type defender who you hope just hits a bit. He may have been a bit overranked as a prospect, but he won’t be a bust.
I’m not a big believer in Riley, but 3B is really the only position hole they have.
It’s early here. The Starting Pitchers will be fine. My main concern is the bullpen and 3B. Plenty of time to right the ship though.
I don’t know if Waters is going to be a bust – he could be Jordan Schafer 2.0 for all I know, but the fact someone is so bold to already label him that without an inning of MLB played AND a critical year off of development in 2020, not to mention thinking that he was the untradeable asset in a trade that would get us any of the stars he mentioned – is hilarious. Backseat fans keep trying to take the wheel is always entertaining.
Once you are ranked in the top 25 of all prospects in all of baseball – then u either earn your spot on the roster or u bust out. No where else to go.
Pache is Billy “the bust” Hamilton and waters can’t even get on the 40 man roster. Yet either was a better return than Colorado got for arenado. Keep the faith though !
“You may feel a sting, that’s pride messin w ya, ef pride” Marcellus Wallace from pulp fiction
Drew Waters is 22 years old.
Drew Waters has not played a full season in AAA.
Up until the Pache injury, the Braves OF was full.
Why would the Braves start Waters service clock by placing him on the 40 man? How does that help player in terms of development, or team? His placement on the top 25 is a ranking, which is simply an opinion. It doesn’t mean he’s ML ready, but it certainly doesn’t mean he’s a bust. Again, he’s 22.
Right !!!
Not a lot of focus on the positives here. How about Ynoa? Kid looks pretty good so far. Is he playing over his head or maybe this is who he really is… I didn’t know of him until this year. Any impressions out there besides the early numbers?
I mean, I don’t recall scouting reports mentioning hitting 99mph on his FB while painting the corners. I don’t care where you’re at, if he continues to do that, along with that change-up, he’ll have a spot. You Knoa it!
I mean why do you think Preller traded him? Great upside also seemingly injury prone in a handful of ways.
So when are they trading Tatis pennies on the dollar?
this injury will probably mean ender incarte will start in center. In the long-term, This gives Pache time to work on his swing and not lose confidence becuase he was optioned.
Max fried’s injury is regrettable, but the braves knew the risks. Before he leftv the game he hit a double and scored a run. That was better than what Pache did What is to say that . The DH could not have done better than fried’s hitting.
Pache is still very inexperienced at the Major League level. He’s obviously not Acuna but let’s give him more time before we write him off. As for the pitching, it certainly hasn’t been good but it’s only 11 games into a 162-game season. We’re only two games out of first place. This team can win the division. Winning the World Series is the bigger question mark. I don’t understand why Shane Greene hasn’t been re-signed unless he’s simply asking for a ridiculous amount of money and at this point he should probably be lowering his asking price.
Hopefully, Anderson and Morton hold on to this underwhelming rotation.
Nothing has gone right for the team since the ASG BS as I expected.
Ynoa has been good so far. Hopefully he holds up.
Love that Davidson is getting a shot here.
This is just speculation on my side, but is Fried not using whatever he was using to grip the ball better? He clearly doesn’t have the control of his curveball like he did last year.
Braves are a top 5 org in baseball IMO ….saying that I think there’s some REAL money issues going on behind the scenes. They really seemed to just want to float this year and save some money for Freeman next year in anticipation…..
Is that the right move just coming off 1 game away from the WS? Probably not in a perfect world…….. but if there’s really cash issues (just my guess) then you cant really fault them ….They really could have used a real 3b, extra OF, extra Sp, and extra Rp this year… The {potential} safety net was internal progression, it hasn’t come to fruition yet, I was never a fan of Riley and I think some of the pitching has been a tad over rated from the fans recently – I still see them being in the hunt for the playoffs this year but I do think they are going to have to pull some deals in the summer to strengthen the club
The Braves are one of the best organizations at developing talent and competing year after year but they need to win more World Championships to change the narrative. 1995 is not enough. By 2000 the 1995 title should have been considered no longer relevant for a team with that much talent. They needed to win again to validate that era. It’s not realistic to expect a Yankees type of dynasty but this organization should have been averaging a title once every 5-7 years with all that talent.
It seems like MLB has it out for the Braves. They move the All-Star game. The safe call that clearly was not safe. Could MLB be instructing umpires to make calls against the Braves? I think politics need to be removed from sports and keep it from having these kind of questions.
Yet you just inserted it into sports. Keep it out and stop talking about it.
Actually, Manfred inserted it into sports.