The Los Angeles Angels are facing scrutiny after a recent series against the Atlanta Braves, where multiple players were hit by pitches, raising concerns about player safety and potential repercussions from Major League Baseball.
During the series, Braves players Travis d’Arnaud and Austin Riley were struck by pitches in the hand and wrist area on consecutive days.
This incident has sparked discussions among baseball insiders about the need for the league to address the issue of pitchers struggling with control.
David O'Brien from The Athletic spoke to one Braves staffer who had an interesting take on the series.
"After Braves Travis d’Arnaud and Austin Riley were hit in hand/wrist on consecutive days by up-and-in pitches at Anaheim," O'Brien posted on X (formerly Twitter), "one prominent Braves staffer said, speaking for many in MLB who’ve had similar issues w/ command-challenged pitchers, 'Baseball needs to take care of that.' "
The Braves came out on top in the series, but the injuries had significant consequences.
The Angels lost third baseman Anthony Rendon for a brief period, while the Braves will be without Austin Riley for six to eight weeks due to a confirmed fracture.
This injury is particularly impactful as Riley is a key player for Atlanta, especially with the team in the midst of a Wild Card race.
Rendon, who has had his share of injuries this season, was hit by a pitch during the series opener. He left the game but was later deemed day-to-day and returned to the lineup shortly after.
“He’s doing well,” Ron Washington said . “He wasn’t feeling very good so we took him out. We weren’t going to take any chances.”
His quick recovery is a relief for the Angels, who have already dealt with his limited availability this season.
“He’s ready to go,” Manager Ron Washington said. “He did everything he needed to do the last two or three days and has been taking care of it. He said he’s ready to go and I don’t have to see anything.”
In contrast, Riley's injury is a setback for the Braves, who will have to adjust their lineup without one of their top hitters.
The situation raises questions about whether the Angels should face any consequences for the injuries sustained by the Braves players.
While hit-by-pitches are a part of the game, the league must find a balance to ensure player safety and maintain the integrity of the sport.
As the Angels and Braves move forward, the focus will be on how they adapt to these injuries and the ongoing discussions about pitcher control in the league.
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