Despite series-finale loss, Braves trending in right direction health-wise

SAN FRANCISCO -- A dominant Logan Webb prevented the Braves from overcoming Max Fried's one bad inning. But a 6-0 loss to the Giants on Thursday afternoon at Oracle Park might be just a bump in the road for an Atlanta club that is finally heading in the right direction, as long as Jorge Soler returns soon.

Michael Harris II returned from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and from an optimistic viewpoint, Soler could be back in the lineup during this weekend’s series against the Angels. The veteran outfielder exited Wednesday night’s win with tightness in his left hamstring. But an MRI exam completed Thursday showed just a mild strain.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now,” Soler said through an interpreter. “[Friday] I’m not playing. But I don’t know, I’m not sure if I’ll be playing [Saturday or Sunday].”

So, you’re saying there’s a chance?

“[Hamstrings] are so different with everybody,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “The mild ones linger. Hamstrings and obliques, you can get them looked at. But everybody’s different. Everybody heals different. It literally is a day-to-day thing.”

“Day to day” can at least currently be considered good news. Soler has hit .355 with four homers and a 1.280 OPS over his past nine games. Losing him immediately after Harris returned would be another cruel twist to the season.

“I woke up feeling better,” Soler said. “Yesterday I woke up feeling soreness. I’m not sure how I’m going to wake up feeling tomorrow. But I’m just [appreciating] the good news.”

Positive health-related news has been a rarity for the Braves. But All-Star Reynaldo López is set to come off the injured list to start against the Phillies early next week. And despite laboring through a two-run second on Thursday, Fried has steadily regained his command while making three starts since coming off the IL.

Chris Sale, López and Fried represented the Braves at the All-Star Game. But next week will mark the first time they have been in the rotation at the same time since. That’s good news for a team that took three of four in San Francisco after blowing a six-run, eighth-inning lead on Sunday at Coors Field.

In fact, the Braves have the option to start Sale, López and Fried during next week’s home series against the first-place Phillies. Despite going 11-15 since the All-Star break, Atlanta remains just 6 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Next week’s matchup will significantly influence the Braves’ bid for a seventh straight National League East title.

The Braves chased Giants starter Robbie Ray in Wednesday’s first inning but found no similar answer for Webb, who allowed three hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He has allowed two runs or fewer in six of eight starts against Atlanta.

Fried missed the first two weeks of the second half because of a nerve issue in his left elbow. The lefty issued five walks in just 3 1/3 innings against the Marlins when he was activated on Aug. 4. He allowed seven hits and issued three more walks over five innings at Coors Field on Saturday. But he recorded nine strikeouts and retired each of the final seven batters faced.

Fried made more progress while allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Giants. One of the runs charged to him scored on the first of two homers Jesse Chavez allowed in the sixth. The Braves’ starter didn’t face more than four batters in four of his five full innings. But he faced eight batters before recording the third out in the second.

Jerar Encarnacion, Mike Yastrzemski and Casey Schmitt singled to begin the inning. Grant McCray dropped a one-out bunt in front of the plate, right to Fried, but the pitcher’s flip was dropped by catcher Travis d’Arnaud to allow the game’s first run to score. Tyler Fitzgerald followed with a sacrifice fly.

“We’re at a time of the year when it’s just about getting the job done,” Fried said. “Every time we go out there, we’re looking to win that game. So, unfortunately, I don’t think I was able to be sharp enough or bring what we needed to be in that position today.”

Still, the Braves are in a better spot than they were when they left Denver this week.

“We had probably our lowest point of the year and followed that with three [wins] in a row,” Snitker said. “I think that’s good. You hate to lose any game this time of year. Every game is important.”

The same can be said about injury updates.