DEAL DONE: JUST IN – Braves Unveil The Signing Of 32 Year Old Veteran Pitcher, Michael Harris II Update And Matt Olson’s Hot Stretch

DEAL DONE: JUST IN – Braves Unveil The Signing Of 32 Year Old Veteran Pitcher, Michael Harris II Update And Matt Olson’s Hot Stretch

 

The Atlanta Braves found some relief in their performance as they powered their way to a commanding 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. The team’s offense came alive with a barrage of home runs, supported by solid pitching, signaling a hopeful turnaround as they aim to sustain this momentum throughout June.

However, amidst the celebration, a somber note emerged with the absence of Michael Harris II. Harris sustained a hamstring injury while running the bases during Friday’s game against the Rays, casting a shadow over Atlanta’s recent resurgence. This injury compounds a season already marred by frustrating setbacks for the Braves. Following the game, it was confirmed that Harris felt discomfort in his hamstring, prompting immediate plans for him to undergo an MRI and likely be placed on the Injured List.

To fill the void left by Harris, Atlanta recalled outfielder Ramón Laureano from Triple-A Gwinnett. This move required transferring Spencer Strider to the 60-day Injured List to accommodate Laureano on the 40-man roster.

The severity of Harris’s injury was later revealed to be a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, sidelining the promising centerfielder for a minimum of four to eight weeks. Despite early struggles at the plate, Harris had shown improvement recently as Atlanta’s leadoff hitter, boasting a .286 batting average over his last six games with key offensive contributions.

With Harris out, Jarred Kelenic stepped into the leadoff role and made an immediate impact, going 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, revitalizing Atlanta’s offensive rhythm. This performance suggests Kelenic may become a regular fixture in the lineup moving forward.

Meanwhile, Matt Olson has notably rebounded after a slow start to the season, demonstrating a significant uptick in his batting performance over the past month. Batting .311 with an impressive .954 OPS during this period, Olson has regained his form as a formidable offensive threat for the Braves. His improved plate discipline and confidence indicate a resurgence that bodes well for Atlanta’s lineup moving forward.

In a bid to bolster their bullpen depth, the Braves recently signed right-handed reliever Matt Carasiti to a minor league contract. Carasiti, previously with the Colorado Rockies, adds a sinker that averages around 95 mph to Atlanta’s bullpen arsenal, offering crucial support amidst ongoing injury concerns.

Speaking of injuries, left-handed reliever A.J. Minter is nearing a return, with plans to initiate bullpen sessions soon following his recovery from left hip inflammation. Minter’s imminent comeback is anticipated to fortify Atlanta’s bullpen, which has relied on other pitchers like Ray Kerr, Aaron Bummer, and Dylan Lee during his absence.

As Atlanta navigates through these challenges, the resilience shown by players like Kelenic and Olson, coupled with strategic roster adjustments, underscores the team’s determination to overcome adversity and remain competitive in the season ahead.