Atlanta Braves Injury Updates on Travis d'Arnaud, Collin McHugh

The Atlanta Braves, who started out this season with a rash of injuries, are starting to get healthier. They've already gotten Max Fried and Kyle Wright back from the IL, and are getting closer to bringing back reliever Collin McHugh and catcher Travis d'Arnaud. Here's an update on both them.

The Atlanta Braves entered play on Saturday in first place in the National League East (14-6) despite undergoing a rash of injuries in the early going this season.

The team is still out shortstop Orlando Arcia, who has a microfracture in his left wrist, and closer Raisel Iglesias, and pitcher Ian Anderson, who underwent Tommy John surgery, but they are starting to get healthier otherwise.

The team recently welcomed back starting pitchers Kyle Wright and Max Fried from the IL and is getting closer to bringing back reliever Collin McHugh and catcher Travis d'Arnaud.

McHugh made his first rehab appearance this week at High-A Rome and the reports were good, per Braves Insider Grant McAuley. He tweets: "Collin McHugh feels great after his 3 inning stint with Rome. #Braves should have him back in the big league bullpen early next week."

Collin McHugh feels great after his 3 inning stint with Rome. #Braves should have him back in the big league bullpen early next week.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 22, 2023

The 35-year-old McHugh has been out with shoulder inflammation. He is an integral part of the Braves bullpen. He is entering his second season with the Braves after going 3-2 last year with a 2.60 ERA. He tossed 69.1 innings and struck out 75.

He's spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors with the Mets, Astros, Rockies, Rays and Braves. He sat out the 2020 COVID-shortened season and has a career 3.68 ERA in 308 games.

As for D'Arnaud, he's been out on the concussion injured list since a collision with the Padres back on April 8th: The updates on his health are similarly good, as McAuley tweets:

"#Braves C Travis d'Arnaud caught a side session and did some more hitting today. Brian Snitker said d'Arnaud felt good and they'll keep monitoring him, specifically after he does a lot of activity like today. If d'Arnaud feels normal, they'll ramp him up for more activity."

#Braves C Travis d'Arnaud caught a side session and did some more hitting today. Brian Snitker said d'Arnaud felt good and they'll keep monitoring him, specifically after he does a lot of activity like today. If d'Arnaud feels normal, they'll ramp him up for more activity.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 22, 2023

He's hitting .355 in the early going while playing at both catcher and designated hitter.

d'Arnaud is in his 11th season in the majors. He's spent part of seven years with the New York Mets, part of one year with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays, and is in his fourth year with the Braves.

He's a lifetime .253 hitter with a 97 career home runs and 356 RBIs.

His absence has provided more opportunity for offseason acquisition Sean Murphy to play, and he's taken advantage of it. One of the hottest hitters in baseball, Murphy is currently hitting .250 with four home runs and 14 RBI. He's 7-24 in his last seven games with three home runs.

The Braves are currently ahead of the New York Mets (14-7), Miami Marlins (10-9), Philadelphia Phillies (9-12) and Washington Nationals (6-13) in the division.

The Braves are taking on the defending champion Houston Astros tonight at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET as Frambler Valdez battles Wright.

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