Out of nowhere, the Braves received brutal news.
Outfielder Adam Duvall suffered a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist Saturday. He will undergo surgery that will end his season.
“Adam’s a huge guy for us,” Max Fried said after Sunday’s loss to the Angels. “As far as being in the clubhouse, just a great teammate. The defense that he brings and the power that he can bring off the bench, or even just at all times. To be able to not have him around and play, it’s going to be tough.”
When playing left field on Saturday, Duvall appeared to jam his wrist on the wall in foul territory after chasing Shohei Ohtani’s foul ball down the line in the top of the first inning. Duvall had an at-bat in the bottom of the first and grounded out to second base. He played another defensive inning in the top of the second. Guillermo Heredia replaced Duvall for the third.
The Braves on Sunday morning placed Duvall on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist sprain.
In reality, it was much worse.
“That’s sad to hear, I’m just now finding out about it,” Ronald Acuña said through interpreter Franco García. “That’s really sad. I know what he’s going through, obviously, because I went through it last year. I just wish him a really speedy recovery, and I hope he comes back in full force next year.”
Duvall began the season as the club’s starting center fielder but had recently been splitting time in left field with Eddie Rosario. Duvall is a power bat but hadn’t yet hit his stride this season, batting .213 with a .677 OPS. He had 12 home runs and 36 RBIs.
The Braves have Rosario, but president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos might need to acquire another outfielder by the Aug. 2 trade deadline. Since returning from the injured list, Rosario is 9-for-47 with two home runs and five RBIs. He has a .393 OPS this season.
The long-term picture could be sad for fans: It’s possible that Duvall, a free agent after this season, has played his final game in a Braves uniform. While he hadn’t hit up to his standard this season, he was a large part of last year’s World Series run. And he’s a bat who could’ve gotten hot at any time.
The Braves on Sunday recalled infielder Mike Ford to take Duvall’s roster spot. If the Braves start Rosario in left field, Marcell Ozuna and Heredia would be among the other outfielders on the 26-man roster. Ozuna isn’t a good defender and has been the team’s designated hitter. Heredia is 8-for-63 with three home runs this season.
Before Duvall’s injury, the Braves’ group of position players seemed set, for the most part. They are one of baseball’s most talented lineups, even without Duvall hitting like he has in the past.
Now all eyes are on Anthopoulos, who has successfully altered his roster through trades in the past.
