The Braves announced that left-hander Dylan Lee has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, taking one of today’s expanded roster spots, while outfielder Forrest Wall was recalled to take the other. To open a spot on the 40-man for Lee, outfielder Sam Hilliard was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Lee, 29, got a two-inning cup of coffee in 2021 but then got a proper debut last year and was excellent. In 50 2/3 innings, he posted a 2.13 earned run average, 29.4% strikeout rate, 5% walk rate and 35.4% ground ball rate. Unfortunately, his attempts to build off that solid platform have been waylaid by injury this year. He made 20 appearances earlier in the season with a 3.10 ERA but landed on the injured list in mid-May due to left shoulder inflammation, only being activated today.
His return should strengthen an Atlanta bullpen that is already formidable. The club’s relievers have a collective 3.43 ERA this year that places them third in the majors, trailing only the Yankees and Mariners. Lee will add another quality arm to that group, joining A.J. Minter and Brad Hand as the southpaw component. The club is 88-45 and has a 14-game lead in the National League East, as well as a five-game cushion over the Dodgers and Orioles for best record in the majors.
As for Hilliard, he has been on the injured list since July 19 due to a right heel contusion. He began a rehab assignment in early August but re-injured his heel, per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It’s unclear what his timeline for return is, but he’ll now be ineligible to rejoin the club until 60 days from his initial IL placement, which would be mid-September.
Best team in baseball just got even better.
Tough luck for Hilliard.
Yeah. He’s too hurt to trade.
The only Hilliard haul would be a billiard ball.
I got a serious bone bruise on my heel about 10 years ago & as silly as it sounds, it was excruciating and walking was a struggle for weeks. I was certain for a while that it was broken and that the doctor made a mistake, but it was just a bruise. Probably Hilliard has it even worse than I did.
Welcome back, Dylan Lee! Please keep the ball away from Brad Hand and limit Minter. AJ went middle-middle to Betts and padded Betts’ MVP résumé in the 8th last night. I’m guessing he missed his location and wouldn’t actually target mid-mid.
Last time in awhile an opponent out-homered ATL.
Random unrelated info:
The HR Strider gave up to Betts in the 5th was the only one he have up in August in 36 1/3 innings.
I know Strider’s been on a run lately, but I’m a little shocked by that.
If you like palindromes, Spencer Strider’s homeruns allowed by the months:
April: 1 HR
May: 5 HR
June: 7 HR
July: 5 HR
August: 1 HR
God help us if that means that….
Sept: 5
Oct: 7