Braves Rest Michael Harris II as Quad Injury Lingers; Manager Plans DH Role on Road Trip

Key facts

• Michael Harris II is out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies.
• Harris aggravated a quad injury about a week ago and has been used primarily as a designated hitter.
• Braves manager Walt Weiss said Harris will be used mainly as a DH during the upcoming nine-game road trip.
• Harris is available as a pinch hitter Friday, per Weiss.
• Drake Baldwin starts as DH on Friday; Mauricio Dubon starts in center field.
• The Braves have MLB's best record at 22-10.
• Harris is 3-for-16 (.188) with a double against Rockies starter Jose Quintana.
• Ozzie Albies has a 1.553 OPS against Quintana, going 9-for-19 with three homers.

Harris Sidelined Again as Quad Issue Persists

Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II is not in the starting lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Colorado Rockies, marking the second consecutive game he has been held out due to a lingering quad injury. Manager Walt Weiss said before the game that Harris will be available as a pinch hitter if needed, but the team is being cautious. "Just picking our spots with Michael, trying to let that thing heal up," Weiss said. "He can stay under control a lot more easier on the offensive side of the ball than he can on the defensive side of the ball." Harris aggravated the quad injury about a week ago and has since been used primarily as a designated hitter. He did pinch hit in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Braves Plan Extended DH Role for Harris on Nine-Game Trip

Weiss announced that the team intends to use Harris mainly as a designated hitter during the upcoming nine-game road trip, which begins Friday in Denver and also includes stops in Seattle and Los Angeles. The hope is that limiting his defensive duties will allow the quad to fully heal. However, Harris will start the road trip on the bench, as he is not in Friday's lineup. Instead, Drake Baldwin will serve as the designated hitter, while Jonah Heim starts at catcher and bats eighth. With Harris out of center field, Mauricio Dubon takes over in center and hits fifth. Eli White starts in left field and bats seventh, and Jorge Mateo is at shortstop, batting ninth.

Lineup Shuffle as Austin Riley Drops in Order

The absence of Harris also affects the batting order. Third baseman Austin Riley, who has been struggling at the plate, was bumped down to sixth in the lineup. Ronald Acuña Jr. leads off, followed by Baldwin, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Dubon, Riley, White, Heim, and Mateo. Riley's slump has been a concern for the Braves, who otherwise boast MLB's best record at 22-10. The team has not lost a series against the Rockies this season and looks to continue that streak.

Quintana's Mixed History Against Braves

Rockies starter Jose Quintana has faced the Braves 11 times in his career, posting a 4-6 record with a 6.39 ERA and a 1.740 WHIP — his second-worst ERA and worst WHIP against any team. However, his most recent start against Atlanta in 2025, while with the Milwaukee Brewers, was solid: six innings, three runs on seven hits, seven strikeouts, and no walks. Several Braves hitters have struggled against Quintana. Acuña is 3-for-19 (.158) with a solo home run, Matt Olson is 6-for-27 (.222) with 11 strikeouts, and Harris is 3-for-16 (.188) with a double. But Ozzie Albies has been a notable exception, going 9-for-19 (.474) with three homers and two doubles, good for a 1.553 OPS.

Holmes Faces Rockies at Coors Field

Braves starter Grant Holmes has had difficulty against the Rockies early in his career, posting a 5.56 ERA over 11 1/3 innings — his worst ERA against any team he has faced multiple times. Much of that damage came in his third career start at Coors Field in August 2024, when he allowed five runs on six hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking three. The Rockies counter with a traditional lineup against right-handed starters, featuring Edouard Julien and Mickey Moniak at the top. Both were out of the lineup Sunday against Reds lefty Andrew Abbott.

Outlook: Braves Prioritize Health Over Haste

The Braves' cautious handling of Harris reflects their broader strategy of managing injuries during a long season. With a deep roster and a comfortable record, Atlanta can afford to give key players rest. Harris, one of the hottest hitters in MLB, is expected to return to the lineup once his quad is fully healed. For now, the Braves will rely on their depth and the favorable matchup of Albies against Quintana to keep their winning ways. The road trip ahead, including series against the Mariners and Dodgers, will test the team's resilience without their star center fielder at full strength.

The bottom line

• Michael Harris II is sidelined with a quad injury, missing his second straight start.
• Manager Walt Weiss plans to use Harris primarily as a DH during a nine-game road trip to let the injury heal.
• Harris is available as a pinch hitter but is not in Friday's lineup.
• The Braves have MLB's best record at 22-10 and have not lost a series to the Rockies.
• Ozzie Albies has historically dominated Rockies starter Jose Quintana, with a.474 average and three homers.
• Braves starter Grant Holmes has a 5.56 ERA against the Rockies, his worst against any team.