Injuries & Moves: d'Arnaud clears concussion test
LATEST NEWS
May 18: C Travis d'Arnaud passes next-day concussion tests
Tests performed on Saturday gave the Braves further confidence that d'Arnaud avoided what would have been a fifth career concussion. His status was uncertain Friday, when he exited the series opener against the Padres after his mask was smacked with a foul tip. The initial dizziness he felt was gone by the time he woke on Saturday.
May 18: 3B Austin Riley's return remains uncertain
Riley was out of the lineup for a fifth straight game on Saturday, and the third baseman wasn't ready to say he will return for the upcoming Cubs series, which concludes Thursday in Chicago. He is still feeling some tightness in his left intercostal muscle, so the Braves haven't cleared him to resume swinging a bat. There remains a chance he could go on the injured list, but the Braves don't have an obvious infield candidate to promote. Riley tweaked his left side with a swing and miss on May 12.
May 18: RHP Pierce Johnson activated; RHP Jackson Stephens outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett
The Braves had thought about activating Johnson on Friday, but waited until Saturday. By waiting an additional day, they were able to pass Stephens through waivers and possibly keep him in the organization. Jackson has the choice to join Gwinnett or become a free agent. The additional day also gave lefty Ray Kerr and additional day to recover from his three-inning appearance on Wednesday.
Johnson had been on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. He needed a little more than a week to rest his elbow, which began bothering him near the end of April. Johnson should resume his role as one of the Braves' high-leverage options.
10-day/15-day IL
C Sean Murphy (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Late May
Murphy is scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment the week of May 20. This was an encouraging development for the Braves, who have been without their 2023 All-Star catcher since Opening Day. He has passed all of the tests the club has set for him, while completing both offensive and defensive drills. (Last updated: May 15)
LHP Tyler Matzek (left elbow soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Matzek posted a 9.90 ERA and produced some concerning hard-hit metrics over 11 appearances. The Braves are hoping he is just going through one of the phases that often follows Tommy John surgery. He'll be given at least a couple weeks to rest his arm. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Spencer Strider (right ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: 2025
After visiting Dr. Keith Meister on April 8, Strider underwent internal brace surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on April 12 and will miss the rest of the 2024 season. (Last updated: April 13)
60-day IL
LHP Angel Perdomo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Perdomo was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 4. He is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and will miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: May 4)