Michael Harris II was reinserted into the Atlanta Braves lineup before Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers after missing two straight games with lower back tightness.
The issue started June 5, when Harris first felt the tightness, forcing him to miss a couple of games before returning to action. However, the problem did not fully go away.
It flared up again on June 16 during a game against the San Francisco Giants, when he scored a run before being removed by manager Walt Weiss, and he missed two games afterward.
After that second scare, the Braves became more cautious, limiting his availability and using Mauricio Dubon to cover center field in his place. That was also the original plan for Saturday, too. However, Atlanta saw Harris make progress during pre-game and made a change.
Fortunately, Harris is trending in the right direction as he continues treatment. The team has not ruled out an injured list stint, though the hope is to avoid one.
For now, the focus remains on making sure the discomfort does not worsen, especially given how important Harris has been to the lineup.
Despite the setbacks, Harris has had a strong season, posting a .306 batting average, .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBIs and three stolen bases across 68 games.
Before the injury issues, he was putting together a strong bounce-back year. After struggling throughout 2025 at the plate, he has returned to form in 2026 as one of the best players in Atlanta's lineup. His dominance has been especially valuable as Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. has continued to rehab from his second stint on the injured list.
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As the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year, Harris is already known for his speed, strong defense in center field and his ability to set the tone at the top of the batting order.
His return to form this season has been important for a Braves team that relies on consistent production up and down the lineup.
Harris plays a key role on both sides of the ball, and losing him for an extended stretch would force the team to adjust its lineup and defensive setup.
With the season moving into an important stretch, Atlanta is being careful with how it handles his back. The goal is to keep him available without risking a longer-term setback that could affect the rest of the year for both Harris and the team.
