Atlanta Braves opening day starter Max Fried left Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals with a leg injury. Fried had been excellent up the point of his injury, allowing only one run through 3.1 innings. The injury was caused when he stepped on first base to make the out on a ball fielded by the first baseman. It did not look graphic or serious, but he did not throw another pitch.Max Fried, an important part of the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation, is likely the team's best pitcher. He is coming off an All-Star season in 2022 where he was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Losing him for an extended amount of time would be a devastating blow to the team.Fox Sports shared a video of the play that caused the injury to Twitter.FOX Sports: MLB@MLBONFOXMax Fried left today's game with an apparent hamstring injury (via @BravesOnBally)24029Max Fried left today's game with an apparent hamstring injury (via @BravesOnBally)https://t.co/jDiw6ncaqlBraves beat writer Mark Bowman reported that the team is calling the injury "left hamstring discomfort," which could mean it is a minor injury.Mark Bowman@mlbbowmanThe Braves are describing Fried's ailment as left hamstring discomfort7915The Braves are describing Fried's ailment as left hamstring discomfortThe Braves made the decision to shut Max Fried down immediately rather than risk further injury. It sounds as though this will be a short-term issue, but hamsting injuries have a tendency to linger. Allowing him all the time he will need to make a full recovery is important.BK 🪓@BKBravos@BravesOnBally I am not okay1@BravesOnBally I am not okayFaith Harris@Faith_Harris_15Excuse me while I go cry twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Bally Sports: Braves@BravesOnBallyMax Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury.62293Max Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury. https://t.co/s52Nr2BV0rExcuse me while I go cry twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Britt@abrittoutsideI am personally and deeply offended that the universe allows this sort of thing. twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…FOX Sports: MLB@MLBONFOXMax Fried left today's game with an apparent hamstring injury (via @BravesOnBally)529Max Fried left today's game with an apparent hamstring injury (via @BravesOnBally)https://t.co/jDiw6ncaqlI am personally and deeply offended that the universe allows this sort of thing. twitter.com/mlbonfox/statu…Starting the season with an injury to their top pitcher is not unique to the Atlanta Braves this season. The New York Mets also had to place Justin Verlander on the injured list to start the year. This is a strange coincidence considering the two teams are division rivals. Until more concrete information on Max Fried comes out, fans will be nervous about their pitcher.michael plassmeyer@dalvin4mvpAh man a hammy is not good twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Bally Sports: Braves@BravesOnBallyMax Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury.62293Max Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury. https://t.co/s52Nr2BV0rAh man a hammy is not good twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Q 🏆@QsQuickFlipsWell we were going good until.. twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Bally Sports: Braves@BravesOnBallyMax Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury.62493Max Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury. https://t.co/s52Nr2BV0rWell we were going good until.. twitter.com/bravesonbally/…Josiah🥑☀️@bed_jartlet98please god just be a knock twitter.com/BravesOnBally/…Bally Sports: Braves@BravesOnBallyMax Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury.393Max Fried will exit today's game with an apparent leg injury. https://t.co/s52Nr2BV0rplease god just be a knock twitter.com/BravesOnBally/…The Braves should be able to manage against the Nationals, but will need Fried sooner rather than later. Their upcoming series against the San Diego Padres will see them take on a potent offense. In the ultracompetitive National League in 2023, every win will count.MonsterLotteryPlays@LotteryParlays@BravesOnBally Thank god we went after pitching this off-season. O wait.5@BravesOnBally Thank god we went after pitching this off-season. O wait.cloud@cloudpix3@BravesOnBally braves drama in mid season form@BravesOnBally braves drama in mid season formThe Atlanta Braves are already shorthanded this season, the only question is how long they will be without Fried.With Max Fried, the Atlanta Braves have one of the best pitching staffs in MLBSpencer StriderThanks to their tremendous farm system, the Braves seem to have a neverending supply of great pitchers ready to go. Spencer Strider's dominant 2022 campaign is proof of this.The Braves can maintain for a while without Fried, but every fan will breathe a sigh of relief when he makes his triumphant return to the mound.