The Atlanta Braves have announced that second baseman Ozzie Albies will be out of action for at least ten days due to a fractured big toe on his right foot, a result of being hit by a pitch during a recent game. The team also disclosed a new minor league agreement with former batting champion Yuli Gurriel, who will join Triple-A Gwinnett.
In a distressing turn of events for the Braves, Ozzie Albies, aged 27, suffered the injury in the second inning of Monday’s game against the Houston Astros when rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti struck him. Despite the injury, Albies played through, contributing to a 6-1 win over Houston. “It’s an unfortunate accident, and all I can do now is focus on healing quickly,” Albies commented on his unexpected injury.
Braves Manager Brian Snitker indicated that while surgery is not on the cards for Albies, the team has not set a specific timeline for his recovery. Reflecting on the incident, Albies shared that he initially dismissed the pain, hoping it would subside as the game progressed. “The pain persisted, which was unusual for me. By the end of the night, it was evident something was wrong,” he added, revealing the fracture was only confirmed after post-game examinations.
To bolster the team in Albies’ absence, the Braves have called up infielder David Fletcher from Triple-A Gwinnett. In the meantime, Luis Guillorme stepped in as second baseman, driving in two runs and scoring one in the Braves’ subsequent 6-2 victory over Houston on Tuesday.
Discussing Albies’ impact and the challenge of his absence, Snitker remarked, “Ozzie is tough to replace, but I’m confident in our team’s depth and ability to handle this setback.”
Meanwhile, Yuli Gurriel, 39, is set to bring his rich experience back to the minor leagues after a stint with the Miami Marlins, where he recorded a .245 average last season. Gurriel, a key player in the Astros’ recent championship successes, boasts a .281 lifetime batting average.
As the Braves adjust their lineup, fans and teammates alike are hopeful for a swift and effective recovery for Albies, whose early-season performance has been impressive, boasting a .317 batting average with two homers in just 15 games.