The Atlanta Braves are in a critical moment of their season, tied for the final NL Wild Card spot, and facing offensive struggles. With key players like Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson performing well, others like Michael Harris II, Jorge Soler, and the Braves’ catchers need to step up. However, the return of All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies could provide the boost they need.
Albies has been sidelined for over a month due to a fractured wrist, with initial hopes of a mid-September return. Recently, he has begun swinging the bat from both sides of the plate. While he’s more comfortable hitting from the right side, his left-handed swings are still not as fluid. The good news is that his right-handed swing, where Albies has historically performed better, is feeling strong.
There is uncertainty about whether the Braves would allow Albies to hit exclusively from the right side. According to manager Brian Snitker, the decision would be left up to Albies. While he is naturally more comfortable hitting right-handed, Albies has not faced right-handed pitchers from the right side in years, making the potential results unpredictable. Despite this, Albies is known for his competitive nature, and if he feels he can help the team by hitting only right-handed, it’s likely he will push to be on the field during the critical final stretch of the season.
Ideally, Albies will regain comfort from the left side of the plate soon, allowing him to return to his full switch-hitting capabilities. However, the Braves are still at least a week away from considering activating him. His return could be crucial as the Braves fight to avoid missing the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Albies’ potential return could not only provide a boost in performance but also bring a sense of urgency and leadership to the team. For now, the Braves remain in a holding pattern, hoping for continued progress from their star second baseman. Until then, the rest of the roster must find a way to step up offensively if they want to secure a playoff spot in the highly competitive National League.