Braves Face Injury Dilemma: Chris Sale’s Rib Setback Highlights Concerns

The Atlanta Braves’ rough 2023 season took another hit Wednesday night. Ace pitcher Chris Sale fractured his left rib cage while diving for a ground ball.

What looked like a great defensive play quickly turned into a snapshot of the Braves’ ongoing struggles. The team’s been dealing with injuries, suspensions, and gut-wrenching losses all year.

Sale’s absence is just one more hurdle as Atlanta tries to stay afloat in the NL East. The Braves have to figure out how to keep going, no matter how tough things get.

The Braves’ Mounting Setbacks in 2023

Atlanta started the season with big expectations after years of success. But things went sideways almost immediately.

An 0-7 start set a rough tone, leaving fans confused and the front office searching for answers. Losing key contributors hasn’t helped matters.

Injury Woes and Suspensions: A Team Under Siege

Chris Sale’s rib fracture just adds to Atlanta’s growing injury list. He’d been lights-out lately, averaging 6.6 innings per start with a 1.23 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over his last 10 games.

He was basically irreplaceable in the rotation. Rib fractures usually mean at least a month on the shelf, so Sale might miss some huge divisional matchups.

The Braves’ problems go deeper than Sale. Jurickson Profar is suspended for PEDs, Reynaldo López just had shoulder surgery, Spencer Strider strained his hamstring, and A.J. Smith-Shawver needed Tommy John surgery.

It feels like the roster is shrinking by the day. Add in a bunch of painful one-run losses, and it’s clear the team’s got a mountain to climb.

Who Will Step Up in Sale’s Absence?

To cover for Sale, the Braves called up 20-year-old Didier Fuentes from Triple-A Gwinnett. He flashed some promise in his MLB debut, but it’s a lot to ask of a rookie in this kind of spot.

The Weight on the Shoulders of Emerging Talent

Fuentes might be a bright spot, but leaning on young arms comes with plenty of uncertainty. Manager Brian Snitker and his staff have a tricky task ahead—building Fuentes’ confidence while keeping the rest of the rotation steady.

There’s hope that Spencer Strider can help once he’s back from his hamstring injury. Profar is also eligible to return after his suspension on July 2, which could give the lineup a lift.

But it’s hard to say how much those returns will help. Timing and luck will play a big part in whether Atlanta can stay in the race.

The Braves’ Resilient History Offers a Blueprint

Even with all the setbacks, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos stays upbeat about the team’s chances. He’s made it clear: Chris Sale isn’t going anywhere, no matter what.

Anthopoulos points to the Braves’ 2021 title run as proof they can survive almost anything. That season, Atlanta battled through injuries and still came out on top.

Staying the Course or Reevaluating at the Trade Deadline?

Anthopoulos says he’s confident in the roster, but he’s not ignoring the possibility of making moves by the trade deadline. If the Braves slip further in the standings, the front office might look to add reinforcements or start thinking ahead to 2024.

For now, they’re focused on getting healthy and sticking together. The “next-man-up” mindset is going to be tested in the coming weeks.

Can the Braves Overcome the Odds?

The road ahead looks undeniably steep. Still, the Braves have shown before that they thrive when things get tough.

Young talent like Didier Fuentes is stepping into the spotlight. There’s also hope that some key players will return soon, which gives a bit of cautious optimism.

Atlanta needs to band together and dig deep if they want to keep their postseason dream alive. It won’t be easy, but stranger things have happened in baseball, right?

Braves fans, what’s your take on the team’s current predicament? Will Atlanta find a way to turn their season around, or is this just too much to handle?

Let us know in the comments below!

 
Here is the source article for this story: After Chris Sale’s rib injury, a familiar question for Braves: Seriously?