SAN DIEGO — During the MLB Winter Meetings here in San Diego, not only was Dansby Swanson and his future a big topic among Atlanta Braves fans, but also catching some buzz was how Ozzie Albies might factor into potentially helping to replace him in 2023.
Atlanta Braves: An injury update on Ozzie Albies heading into 2023 spring training
The 2022 campaign was an injury-plagued one for the 25-year-old Albies, who saw action in just 64 games thanks to a broken left foot and a broken right pinky. He slashed just .247/.294/.409 with eight home runs and 35 RBI, and did not see action in the postseason because of his finger injury.
Atlanta is hoping that all of that is in the past as Albies will likely be counted on in a big way in 2023. With Swanson rumored to be possibly leaving Atlanta for a bigger payday outside the 404, Vaughn Grissom could take over at shortstop in Atlanta, leaving second base to Albies as the Braves hope he can not only stay healthy, but also return to his All-Star numbers from the 2021 season as he helped the Braves win the World Series.
Braves manager Brian Snitker seemed encouraged from what he had seen from Albies so far this offseason.
“Saw Ozzie the other day,” Snitker told the media in San Diego. He’s doing great, exactly what he needs to be doing. And Ozzie is going to be very consistent and diligent in his rehab. He’s fired up. Had a good look about him and very confident and everything went great.”
That’s great news for Braves fans, who are looking for good news when it comes to a middle infield situation that is very much up in the air at the same time as division rivals New York and Philadelphia boosted their rosters during the MLB Winter Meetings. However, a healthy Albies would go a long ways toward a strong middle infield in Atlanta in 2023.