Walt Weiss Provides Update on Injured Atlanta Braves Players

Ahead of the Atlanta Braves’ best-of-three date with the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Wild Card Series, Braves manager Walt Weiss provided updates on a number of players who have been dealing with recent injuries as the team heads into the postseason. 

One day before the first game of the series, Weiss did not provide a timeline for the return of three injured players – starter Bryce Elder, outfielder Lane Thomas and starter Martín Pérez.

Weiss did reiterate the obvious regarding the three players, which is that they will not be available for the Wild Card round. Should the Braves advance, that can be subject to change. 

Pérez, who had emerged as one of the Braves’ most consistent and efficient starters this season, had gotten injured just before the regular season’s end. The Braves had placed the southpaw on the injured list on Sep. 24 with lower back inflammation. 

Encouragingly, the veteran starter had played catch on Monday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. However, he is not eligible to come off the injured list until Oct. 6, which would be midway through a potential NLDS series should the Braves advance past the Phillies. 

Elder underwent knee surgery three weeks ago, but has made a swift recovery in his return to the mound. The right-hander threw live batting practice at Truist Park on Monday. 

In that live BP session, Elder’s fastball hovered around his average velocity, as he tossed his fastball at 92 MPH. According to Bowman, Elder feels fine pitching, but is unsure how his knee may react in scenarios where he is required to field his position. He seems to be doubtful to return in a potential NLDS, but could be available for the NLCS should Atlanta advance. 

Elder spent the majority of the season in the Braves’ starting rotation, where he had been very efficient for the first couple of months before significantly struggling towards the middle of the season. He landed on the injured list in early September just days after Weiss opted to move the right-hander to the bullpen. Should he return to the Braves in the postseason, it is safe to assume he will be used in relief. 

Thomas landed on the injured list on Sep. 11 with an intercostal muscle strain and received a cortisone injection in mid-September. The outfielder did some running in the outfield on Monday.

A trade deadline acquisition, Thomas was brought on to hit left-handed pitching, a facet of the game he has always specialized in. However, he has struggled in his brief time with the Braves, as he posted a .171 batting average in 21 games prior to his injury.