Michael Harris II has been sidelined for the Braves since June 14th due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a serious injury that often requires a couple of months to heal, and the Braves are being cautious given their losses of major stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider for the season. However, Harris seems to be recovering faster than expected.
He has started participating in baseball drills, and recent updates from Grant McAuely suggest that he may be close to returning. Harris reports feeling excellent while running, and anticipates a rehab assignment will follow once he can sprint.
#Braves CF Michael Harris II said he's felt great running thus far but hasn't advanced to sprinting yet.
That's the determining factor for his timeline and next step (rehab assignment). Harris added even he is surprised how good he feels considering it was a Grade 2 strain.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 6, 2024
The Braves’ offense has shown signs of improvement in recent games, and additional help could be on the horizon. If there are no setbacks, Michael Harris is expected to return after the All-Star break. This timing coincides with the trade deadline, and many anticipate that Alex Anthopoulos will make significant moves.
Although being nine games behind in the division seems daunting now, the Braves’ strong pitching could make winning games easier if the offense begins to meet its potential.
Report: Yilber Diaz Set to Make Debut on Monday Against Braves
The Diamondbacks have a rotation spot available after sending Cristian Mena down to Triple-A Reno on Thursday. According to Steve Gilbert, the Diamondbacks beat reporter for MLB.com, pitching prospect Yilber Diaz is set to start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field.
Diaz, 23, has been one of the standout prospects of the 2024 season. He boasts a potential three-pitch arsenal with notable quality: a fastball that ranges from 94-98 MPH with good carry, a big-breaking 11-5 curveball around 80 MPH, and a mid-80s slider with significant horizontal movement. His changeup is less developed but still part of his repertoire.
Currently ranked as the No. 16 prospect in the Diamondbacks’ system and the fourth-highest pitching prospect, Diaz started the year with Double-A Amarillo. There, he posted a 3-5 record with a 4.33 ERA in 11 starts—a respectable ERA given the hitter-friendly environment of his home ballpark.
He finished his stint with Amarillo strongly in May, going 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA over five starts, striking out 39 and walking seven in 29.1 innings. He has since continued his impressive performance with a 3.27 ERA and a 28-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four starts at Triple-A Reno.
Diaz will replace Jordan Montgomery in the rotation, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. The Diamondbacks will need to make a roster move, but they have an open spot on their 40-man roster after DFA’ing Tucker Barnhart. Manager Torey Lovullo noted that Montgomery will throw a flat ground session on Saturday, though there is still some inflammation in his knee. The team expects him to be able to throw again soon.
