Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Braves get positive injury update on Nacho Alvarez

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 9:08 AM ET

Like the entire Braves team in 2025, Nacho Alvarez has not been able to catch a break.

Currently the highest ranked position prospect in the system, Alvarez began the season with a wrist injury that forced him to miss three months. When he finally returned in mid-June, he wasted no time reminding everyone why he was once the talk of the farm system, right alongside current rookie standout Drake Baldwin.

In his first 10 games with Gwinnett, Alvarez hit .394 with four extra-base hits and reached base at a staggering .556 clip. Then, in typical 2025 Braves fashion, another setback followed — this time, an oblique strain. It’s the kind of injury that tends to linger, sometimes taking months to fully heal.

However, it seems as if this particular issue won’t be long-lasting. On the Stripers’ broadcast last night, it was revealed Alvarez could return as early as next week.

Update on Nacho Alvarez Jr: He should return during the road trip to Indianapolis next week with the worst case scenario being he returns after the all-star break the following week.

Per @DaveLezotte on the radio broadcast

— Stripers Report (@StripersReport) July 3, 2025

Given the struggles of Ozzie Albies, this is a very positive development for the major-league club. The future at second base has never been more cloudy.

No matter what happens, Alvarez could find himself playing a role in Atlanta at some point this season. If Albies continues to struggle, the Braves could view Alvarez as an offensive upgrade that could provide the team a spark down the stretch. There’s also a very real scenario where things get ugly in Atlanta, and the team falls way out of the playoff race. At that point, the Braves are likely to be much more inclined to see what they have in their younger talent.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: