Atlanta Braves fans devastated by star pitcher Max Fried leaving Opening Day game with apparent leg injury: "Excuse me while I go cry"

Atlanta Braves opening day starter Max Fried left Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals with a leg injury. Fried had been excellent up the point of his injury, allowing only one run through 3.1 innings. The injury was caused when he stepped on first base to make the out on a ball fielded by the first baseman. It did not look graphic or serious, but he did not throw another pitch.

Max Fried, an important part of the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation, is likely the team's best pitcher. He is coming off an All-Star season in 2022 where he was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Losing him for an extended amount of time would be a devastating blow to the team.

Fox Sports shared a video of the play that caused the injury to Twitter.

Braves beat writer Mark Bowman reported that the team is calling the injury "left hamstring discomfort," which could mean it is a minor injury.

The Braves made the decision to shut Max Fried down immediately rather than risk further injury. It sounds as though this will be a short-term issue, but hamsting injuries have a tendency to linger. Allowing him all the time he will need to make a full recovery is important.

Starting the season with an injury to their top pitcher is not unique to the Atlanta Braves this season. The New York Mets also had to place Justin Verlander on the injured list to start the year. This is a strange coincidence considering the two teams are division rivals. Until more concrete information on Max Fried comes out, fans will be nervous about their pitcher.

The Braves should be able to manage against the Nationals, but will need Fried sooner rather than later. Their upcoming series against the San Diego Padres will see them take on a potent offense. In the ultracompetitive National League in 2023, every win will count.

The Atlanta Braves are already shorthanded this season, the only question is how long they will be without Fried.

With Max Fried, the Atlanta Braves have one of the best pitching staffs in MLB

Spencer Strider

Thanks to their tremendous farm system, the Braves seem to have a neverending supply of great pitchers ready to go. Spencer Strider's dominant 2022 campaign is proof of this.

The Braves can maintain for a while without Fried, but every fan will breathe a sigh of relief when he makes his triumphant return to the mound.