:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46912002/usa-today-8416216.0.jpg)
When Ozhaino Albies was placed on the disabled list, many of us in the prospect community were a bit stumped. He had been in a bit of a slump, but didn't have any reason to believe he had been fighting an injury necessarily. However, when Jonathan Schuerholz, the Braves' Asst. Farm Director, appeared on this podcast, he gave an update that he actually has a very small fracture of his thumb he suffered on a play at second base.
Hopefully Albies will be back on the field soon, and while hearing the word "fracture" in regards to the Braves' top prospect is disheartening...Schuerholz did give some cause of optimism in saying that they are hoping he comes back this year. Albies has slashed .310/.368/.404 with 29 stolen bases for Rome and is regarded by many as the top prospect in the Braves' system.
Also, in more positive news, former starting prospect and now reliever Jason Hursh just got the promotion to AAA.
ROSTER MOVES: #MBraves RHP @Jason_Hursh has been promoted to Triple-A @GwinnettBraves. Hursh was the @Braves 2013 first round pick.
— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) August 6, 2015
The 2013 first round pick out of Oklahoma State has had an up and down career in the Braves' minor league system. Beginning as a starter (and up until fairly recently was still starting), Hursh started off strong in single A, but was asked to repeat AA this year, struggled quite a bit as a starter, and then was moved to the bullpen. The change has served Hursh well as he has a 2.25 ERA as a reliever this year vs. a 5.63 ERA as a starter. While it is a small sample size, the Braves must have liked what they have seen and, with all of the upheaval on the big league club's roster, they made the move to bring Hursh up to Gwinnett.