Fans had a little bit of a scare on Thursday when infielder Nacho Alvarez exited an Atlanta Braves Spring Training game with what was described as “noticeable pain” in his left wrist.
Anytime you hear about a wrist injury—especially for a hitter—it raises some eyebrows. But, good news! It looks like this might not keep him out for long.
Encouraging Signs for Alvarez’s Recovery
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Alvarez himself gave a positive update on Saturday, saying his wrist is “feeling better” and that he could be back in action as soon as next week.
That’s a huge relief, considering the initial concern when The Athletic’s David O’Brien reported that Alvarez seemed to be in pain after his final swing in the first inning.
For those who might not be as familiar with Alvarez, he’s one of the Braves’ top prospects and made his MLB debut last season. While he struggled a bit at the plate—going just 3-for-30 in eight games—he showed real promise at Triple-A Gwinnett.
He put up an impressive .297 average with a .861 OPS, 20 extra-base hits, 42 RBI, and 47 runs scored.
A Talented Prospect in a Crowded Infield
The tricky part? Finding a spot for him. As CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson pointed out, Alvarez has solid bat-to-ball skills and profiles as a strong defender.
But with the Braves infield already stacked, his long-term position is a bit up in the air. Still, his ability to play multiple spots could make him a valuable depth piece. If injuries pile up throughout the 2025 season, he will be needed.
That’s exactly why this wrist injury, even though it appears minor, was a bit of a gut punch. The Braves don’t want to see a young talent like Alvarez sidelined when he could be building momentum and pushing for a bigger role.
Braves Looking Ahead to 2025 Opening Day
With Alvarez expected back soon, the Braves will continue monitoring his progress throughout Spring Training.
Whether he makes the Opening Day roster or returns to Triple-A to start the year, he remains an important piece of the organization’s depth chart. His ability to provide insurance for Atlanta’s infield could prove crucial as the long season unfolds.
For now, it looks like the crisis has been averted. But as always, wrist injuries are tricky, so the Braves will be hoping for a smooth recovery as they look ahead to the 2025 campaign.
