Atlanta Braves Receive Positive News on Michael Harris II After Injury Scare

The Atlanta Braves appear to have avoided a larger problem with Michael Harris II, though Sunday's lineup card may still be the final confirmation fans are waiting for.

Harris was removed before the ninth inning of Friday's 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates because of back tightness. At the time, the move seemed largely precautionary. Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported afterward that Harris was expected to be back in the lineup the following day. Instead, the center fielder was held out of Saturday's game as the discomfort lingered.

"He's still feeling it a little bit, so I just took it out of his hands and kept him down for today," Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters, via Bowman. "It's nothing serious, just more precautionary."

On the surface, missing one game in early June does not sound particularly significant. The context surrounding Harris makes the situation a little different.

Atlanta has already watched Harris battle through physical issues earlier this season. A left quad injury during April and May forced the outfielder to miss time and spend roughly a week serving as the designated hitter.

The timing is also important. Harris has re-established himself as one of the most important pieces of Atlanta's lineup. After taking a step backward offensively over the previous two seasons, he has looked much closer to the player who won National League Rookie of the Year in 2022.

Entering Saturday, Harris was hitting .303 with 13 home runs, 37 RBI and an .854 OPS. When Atlanta has needed offense this season, he has consistently been part of the solution.

That production helps explain why the Braves appear comfortable taking a conservative approach.

According to Bowman, Weiss told reporters that Harris would continue receiving treatment during Saturday's game and could potentially have been available if needed. The surging Mauricio Dubón filled in at center field instead, allowing Atlanta to buy an extra day without forcing Harris back onto the field.

The challenge for the Braves is that injury concerns rarely disappear until a player returns and proves he can handle his normal workload. Atlanta has repeatedly downplayed the severity of Harris' back issue, but questions will likely remain until he is back in center field on a regular basis.

For now, the information coming from the organization remains encouraging. The Braves have consistently described the issue as minor, and there has been no indication that an injured list stint is being considered.

Still, after Harris missed Saturday despite initial optimism about a quick return, Sunday's lineup decision may carry more significance. It could serve as confirmation that Atlanta's latest injury scare was exactly what the Braves have described it as all along.