Here we go again. The Braves are stockpiling injuries like they stockpile pitchers.

A year ago, we watched as the opening day infield became a shell of its former self by the end of the year. It was a remarkable makeover that could have required its own reality television show. And despite the turnover, the Braves somehow made it to the postseason.

It was the infield last year. Troy Glaus started out as the first baseman, but gimpy knees and sudden warning track power syndrome forced the Braves to get Derrek Lee from the Cubs. Martin Prado started out at second base, but then when Chipper Jones was injured Prado moved to third, only to get hurt himself at the end of the year.

The shortstop at the start, Yunel Escobar, irritated his teammates with part-time effort and questionable antics. So he was shipped to Toronto for Alex Gonzalez. And even after Prado got hurt at third, Omar Infante had to take over the hot corner.

This year, it’s the outfield. Jason Heyward is out with a shoulder issue, Nate McLouth with an oblique, and now Prado, in his latest newest position of left field, has a staph infection in his right calf.

The patchwork Braves have managed through the injuries so far, with Jordan Schafer actually improving the center field situation and Eric Hinske producing as the right fielder. But the Prado injury will be tougher for this team to overcome, since he is so important to this offense.

Atlanta has not had many players in its history like Prado. He can play just about anywhere on the diamond, and play it well. And Prado is a hitter, even developing power in the past few years. He’s Jerry Royster with real talent, and the Braves go as Prado goes.

Injuries are part of the game. You know at the beginning of the season that at some point a team is going to have to manage through a rash of injuries. But to lose your entire outfield in a three-week stretch is quite remarkable.

Perhaps this is the opportunity for Dan Uggla to get on track offensively. We keep waiting for some breakout game, some breakout hit, that will get him going. He just can’t be this bad, can he?

The Braves are going to need Uggla now with Prado gone. Remember, Prado leads this team in home runs (eight) and doubles (17). That’s something we thought Uggla would be doing when he was acquired from the Marlins.

Instead, Uggla’s season has been a nightmare. There’s still time for him to get going, and it’s hard to imagine a player who averaged 30 home runs a season for the past five years won’t start hitting.

Atlanta must continue to have great pitching if it wants to continue playing this well. It’s amazing, really, that despite the injuries and despite the season-long offensive struggles, this Braves has one of the best records in the game.

And that’s all due to the pitching. The Braves have the best team ERA in baseball (2.99). The bullpen has been the second-best in the game, with a 2.57 ERA, while the rotation has been third-best (3.24). If the pitching had been even mediocre, this team would be six or seven out instead of being able to see first place right now.

But losing Prado will be Atlanta’s biggest challenge of the season. He has become, in many ways, the heart and soul of this team. Maybe at some point this year we will see everyone get healthy, and at the same time have this team click offensively.

If that happens, with this pitching staff, the Braves could quickly become the best team in baseball. But the journey there, like last year, might just be a bumpy ride.

Listen to The Bill Shanks Show from 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WPLA Fox Sports 1670 AM in Macon and online at www.foxsports1670.com.