Braves Put Michael Harris II On The 60-Day Injured List
The Atlanta Braves put Michael Harris II (hamstring) on the 60-day injured on Wednesday. Harris has already been on the IL since June 15 due to a strained left hamstring and wasn't going to be back before 60 days even if he began a minor-league rehab assignment imminently, which he's not doing. He began light running exercises on July 3, but the center fielder still has no clear timeline for a return to the Braves. Despite slashing a poor .250/.295/.358 with five home runs, 20 RBI, 30 runs scored, and eight stolen bases over 278 plate appearances this year, the 23-year-old star outfielder should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues. For the time being, veterans Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario will continue to form a platoon for at-bats in center field in Atlanta.
Michael Harris II Hasn't Graduated To Full Sprints
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (hamstring) continues to run but has not graduated to a full sprint yet as he rehabs his hamstring injury. Harris said his left hamstring feels good and he's just trusting the process and the team's timing to ramp back up. He's trying to avoid any and all potential setbacks. 929 The Game's Grant McAuley guesses that the earliest we'll see Harris back in the big leagues for the Braves will be mid-August, as he still needs to go out on a minor-league rehab assignment to test his hamstring. Fantasy managers are going to need to remain patient with the 23-year-old, who was hitting a disappointing .250 (65-for-260) with five homers, 20 RBI and eight steals in 260 at-bats before straining his hammy. Jarred Kelenic will continue serving as Atlanta's regular center fielder with Harris out.
The Athletic's David O'Brien suggests that Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (hamstring), who has already missed a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, could be out at least another two or three weeks. Harris has been out since June 14, and fantasy managers cannot expect him to be back in their lineups until at least August. Along with his injury, Atlanta's starting center fielder has hit a disappointing .250 (65-for-260) with five home runs, 20 RBI, eight stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 2024. The 23-year-old hit a combined .295 with 37 home runs, 121 RBI and 40 stolen bases in his first two years in the big leagues for the Braves. Harris' absence has mostly benefitted Jarred Kelenic, who has taken over the leadoff spot in Atlanta's batting order and is receiving regular playing time in the outfield.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (hamstring) has yet to test his hamstring by running, but that could happen soon. As a result, Harris still doesn't have a timetable for his return from the injured list. The 23-year-old center fielder continues to work his way back from a Grade 2 left-hamstring stain and won't be back for the Braves or fantasy managers before the All-Star break in mid-July. Harris deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats in an IL spot while he recovers, though, and Jarred Kelenic will continue to serve as Atlanta's primary center fielder for as long as Harris remains sidelined. After hitting nearly .300 in each of his first two seasons in the big leagues, Harris has disappointed so far in 2024 with a .250/.295/.358 slash line, five home runs, 20 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 278 trips to the plate and 67 games.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (hamstring) is reportedly making progress in his recovery from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The 23-year-old has been taking swings with the bat and throwing but has yet to be cleared for running. Harris has been out since the middle of June and it's tough to put a timetable on him right now. There should be a clearer picture once Harris starts running again. Until then, Ramon Laureano (back) is likely to continue seeing increased playing time in the outfield.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II is starting in center field and is batting leadoff on Tuesday against the visiting Washington Nationals and right-hander Jake Irvin. Now that All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is out for the rest of the year with another torn ACL, Harris could be the club's regular leadoff hitter when they face a right-handed pitcher, which would drastically improve his fantasy upside the rest of the way in 2024. The former third-rounder in 2019 currently has a .261/.299/.379 slash line with five home runs, 17 RBI, eight stolen bases and 23 runs scored in his 203 at-bats. Harris is riding a modest four-game hitting streak heading into Tuesday's contest, going 6-for-15 (all singles) during that span with no RBI and a stolen base. He has a hit and an RBI in two career at-bats against Irvin.
With second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) going on the injured list on Tuesday, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II has moved up to second in the batting order against the Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown. Meanwhile, Luis Guillorme will get the start at the keystone and will bat eighth. Guillorme and David Fletcher figure to split playing time at second with Albies out, but Harris could be the biggest fantasy beneficiary in Atlanta if he continues to hit at the top of the lineup while Albies is on the shelf. This is the first time this year the 23-year-old has hit higher than sixth. Harris is off to a fine start in 2024, slashing .290/.333/.468 with two home runs and a stolen base. He has never faced Brown in his career but will become a much more popular DFS lineup piece with Albies out.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II will hit sixth in Friday's season opener versus Zack Wheeler and the rival Philadelphia Phillies. Harris II has moved ahead of Sean Murphy in the lineup, who is hitting seventh while hitting behind Marcell Ozuna in the five-hole. The 23-year-old had another nice season as a sophomore in 2023, hitting .293 with 18 home runs, 76 runs, 20 stolen bases, and an .808 OPS across 138 games, narrowly missing the 20/20 mark for the second straight season after hitting 19 homers with 20 steals as a rookie in 2022. He'll take on a tough customer in Wheeler who worked to a 3.61 ERA in 32 starts last season while putting forth a hefty 22% K-BB% in the process.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II is starting in center field and batting sixth for the Braves on Opening Day on Thursday versus right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a slight move up for Harris, who spent most of last year hitting ninth for Atlanta in their stacked lineup. If the 23-year-old former third-round pick in 2019 sticks in the six-hole, he'll have more opportunities to rack up counting stats for his fantasy managers in his third year in the majors. The former National League Rookie of the Year has hit an impressive .295/.334/.494 with an .828 OPS, 37 home runs, 121 RBI, 40 stolen bases and 151 runs scored in 252 regular-season games in his first two years in the league. Harris' fantasy arrow is pointing up with the move up the batting order.
Michael Harris II Doubles, Homers In 2024 Spring Training Debut
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-5 Grapefruit League win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He led off for the Braves and homered on the first pitch off Rays' right-hander Nathan Wiles for his first long ball in spring training. The 22-year-old capped his two-hit performance with a double in the top of the fourth inning. Harris slashed .293/.331/.477 with 18 home runs, 57 RBI, 76 runs, and 20 stolen bases over 539 plate appearances in 2023. He is expected to hit in the bottom of the order in a loaded Braves lineup that includes Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley. Harris would have to max out production to pay dividends on his third-round price tag. Despite hitting near the bottom of the order, Harris has 20-20 upside and should contribute enough in every hitting category, making him a strong OF2 in upcoming fantasy drafts.
