Braves Suffer Another Setback As Key Outfielder Placed On Injured List

The Atlanta Braves have had brutal injury luck thus far in 2024. Sadly, that luck only seems to be continuing.

Ronald Acuña Jr.’s second ACL tear had already left the Braves’ offense without its spark plug. Now, it appears they’ll be down one more bat–and one more key outfielder.

The Braves announced Saturday that Michael Harris II, who left Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays with a left hamstring injury, was being placed on the 10-day injured list. Former Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians outfielder Ramón Laureano was added to the roster to take Harris’ place.

Harris, the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year, was having a down year by his offensive standards. He’s posted a .653 OPS with just five home runs through 67 games. It’s also a tough blow for the Braves’ offense at large, which has been struggling to score in June, though they have now won their last two.

Laureano played in 31 games with Cleveland earlier this season, posting a .143 batting average and .494 OPS in 83 plate appearances. He was designated for assignment on May 20 and released after going unclaimed. The Braves signed him and sent him to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a .362 batting average with three home runs in 14 games.

To make room on the 26-man roster, starting pitcher Spencer Strider was moved to the 60-day injured list. Strider underwent Tommy John surgery on April 13 and will not pitch again for Atlanta in 2024.

There has already been a lot of speculation that general manager Alex Anthopoulos will be aggressive in pursuing outfield help at the trade deadline, since he added four outfielders in July 2021 after Acuña tore his ACL the first time. If that was in the plans, Harris' injury figures only to increase the urgency.

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