Freddie Freeman‘s stay on the Atlanta Braves disabled list was supposed to end on Friday. But his injured wrist has not responded to treatment and no one seems to know when he’ll be back.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told local Atlanta media on Tuesday that Freeman is “frustrated” and that there is no timetable for his return. The Braves reportedly have decided to try a new course of therapy for the wrist. As I have mentioned in an earlier post, there is no one the Braves need in the batting order more than Freeman. He leads the team in home runs (12), RBI (41) and batting average (.299).
Following Tuesday night’s 6-1 home loss to the Washington Nationals, the Braves have now scored a total of 22 runs in the 11 games that Freeman has missed due to his wrist contusion. They are 4-7 in those 11 games, with three of the four wins coming by either a 1-0 or 2-1 score. In the previous 11 games with Freeman in the lineup, the Braves scored 46 runs.
Let’s say Freeman returns after the All-Star Game break in mid-July. By then, the Braves could be well and truly out of even a wildcard spot in the National League. Currently, they are 36-41 and seven games back of the Nationals in the NL East. They are almost that far back in the wildcard race.
I for one thought the Braves would be competitive this season despite trading away three of their top four hitters in Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis. To their credit, they have been. But if Freeman doesn’t get well soon, or if the team doesn’t start winning a few more games in his absence, it’s time to become a seller ahead of the trading deadline.
Among the Braves’ players who might draw some interest: center fielder Cameron Maybin, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and relief pitchers Jim Johnson and Jason Grilli. Maybin has enjoyed a nice comeback season but if the team is out of contention, it’s time to see if the club’s top prospect Jose Peraza can make the transition from second base to center field. He has been playing the new position at Triple-A recently as the Braves have liked what they’ve seen from Jace Peterson at second base.
Pierzynski could help out as a backup catcher, pinch-hitter and veteran presence in the clubhouse for a contending team. His departure would leave the door wide open for another prospect, Christian Bethancourt, who so far has failed to impress at the major league level. He is currently in Triple-A working on his defensive fundamentals.
Johnson and Grilli are both solid veteran relief pitchers who could help bolster a bullpen for a playoff run.
Follow Gerard Farek on Twitter for more MLB information and opinion.
The post Freddie Freeman’s stay on the disabled list will be longer than expected appeared first on OutsidePitchMLB.