Braves' Fried, Mets' Verlander Injured

Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried left his start with an apparent hamstring issue against the Washington Nationals while New York Mets ace Justin Verlander hit the IL before Opening Day.

The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets each won 101 games last year and are expected to be in contention for the NL pennant again this year, but on the seasons first day, the two teams are just in a battle of injured ace pitchers.

Braves ace Max Fried left his start early after appearing to injure his hamstring covering first base against the Nationals while Mets ace Justin Verlander has been put on the IL with a right teres major strain.

Max Fried appears to have injured his hamstring on this play and is coming out pic.twitter.com/DxY1nySYw5

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) March 30, 2023

Fried hurt his hamstring in the fourth inning against Washington with the Braves leading 4-1. No word yet from the team on the nature of the injury but we'll keep you posted as we learn more.

Fried, 29, went 14-7 with a 2.48 ERA a season and is the leader of the rotation that also boasts young ace Spencer Strider.

As for Verlander, the Mets say that he will continue throwing at moderate intensity. The team says he will get a re-scan in a week and they will provide an update at that time.

Verlander signed a two-year, $86.67 million contract with the Mets this offseason. He won the World Series last year with the Astros after going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA. Verlander has won three Cy Young awards in his career, including last year.

Righty Tylor Megill will be recalled from AAA and take Verlander's spot in the rotation.