Braves burned by Lane Thomas in way that should plenty familiar to Guardians fans

Although Lane Thomas provided Guardians fans with tons of memorable moments during his incredible run through the 2024 postseason, his time with the Guardians was largely defined by injuries. 

The Braves are getting a first-hand look at those injury frustrations on Friday when they placed Thomas on the 15-day injured list due to a left intercostal strain he suffered while taking batting practice earlier in the week. 

Although it seems like the injury isn’t going to be season-ending, it’s coming at a frustrating time for a Braves team that’s desperately trying to hold off the Phillies in the National League East. 

Lane Thomas is back on the injured list

The first sign that something was off with Thomas came on Thursday when he was scratched about 20 minutes before first pitch in Atlanta’s win over the Rays. His IL stint was backdated to Tuesday, so it seems like the issue has been bothering him for most of the week. 

Thomas started the season with the Royals and recorded 10 home runs and 37 RBI with an OPS+ of 104 in 97 games before being traded to the Braves at the deadline to be a depth outfield option. 

He’s hit just .171 in 21 games with the Braves since that trade while fitting into a platoon with Mike Yastrzemski. 

The oblique injury is something new for Thomas, who was labored for most of his Guardians tenure by some severe plantar fasciitis that led to him undergoing surgery last season. 

The Guardians considered reuniting with Thomas in the offseason and also seemed to have some genuine interest in trading for him at the deadline, but they pivoted toward Jo Adell instead. 

Thomas could still end up playing a factor for the Braves in the postseason, but his injury could impact what that postseason stint looks like. 

The Braves entered play on Friday with a four-game lead over the Phillies for the NL East lead, though that could look a lot different on Sunday night by virtue of the two teams playing in a four-game series this weekend. 

Thomas would have been a lock to start Saturday’s game which will be started by left-hander Jesús Luzardo, but now that playing time will likely go to utility player Mauricio Dubon or outfielder Brewer Hicklen. 

The Braves corresponding move should also look familiar to Guardians fans since the Braves called up former Twins outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.

Keirsey spent the past two seasons on the fringes of the Twins’ roster, but went 0-for-11 in the games he played against the Guardians. 

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