The day after losing in the NLDS to the Phillies in embarrassing fashion, the Braves added insult to injury by announcing Kyle Wright underwent surgery.
Talk about kicking a dog when it’s down.
We knew Kyle Wright was set to undergo surgery and miss the entire 2024 campaign, but it’s still a crushing update. Wright’s shoulder injury stems from Spring Training, resulting in him opening the season on the 15-day IL.
When he made it back, he was a shell of himself. After just five starts, he returned to the IL, where he would spend the next four months. Wright then returned and made a pair of starts and appearances out of the bullpen but was left off the NLDS roster, which surprised a few.
An MRI before Game 1 on Saturday revealed more shoulder damage. He’ll essentially miss two seasons of his prime because he only threw 31 innings this year. It’s a brutal blow for the Braves and Wright, who looked like he was on the cusp of becoming an elite starter in this league.
The Braves have some serious holes to fill in their starting rotation. Spencer Strider and Max Fried will be in the fold, but that’s the only arms you’re confident in.
Charlie Morton might retire, but Bryce Elder struggled in the second of the season. Jared Shuster, Dylan Dodd, and Allan Winans had moments throughout the season but aren’t anything more than back-of-the-rotation guys or depth pieces.
A.J. Smith-Shawver is by far the brightest young pitcher in Atlanta’s system. If AJSS pans out, the loss of Kyle Wright will sting a whole lot less. Hell, Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta’s first-round pick from this past draft cycle, could very well establish himself as a part of next year’s rotation.
More must-reads: