Device sits out ESL Pro League matches due to medical issue

One of Denmark’s best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players has elected to sit out a number of ESL Pro League matches scheduled for March 8.

Astralis’ Nicolai “device” Reedtz posted on social media that he was in need of rest, and would be sitting out of the two games scheduled for today’s ESL Pro League broadcast. Instead, Astralis coach and Counter-Strike 1.6 veteran Danny “zonic” Sørensen is filling in for the star. The team faces off against rivals Virtus Pro in tonight’s matches.

Device says he’s suffering from a hiatus hernia, a condition that may cause heartburn, chest pains, and heart palpitations. While it’s not a serious affliction, surgery is still required to remove the hernia—which may see device unable to compete for a short period following the surgery.

In case device does finds himself out of action, zonic will more than likely fill in for his star player. In fact, throughout the past year alone the Danish veteran-turned-coach has filled in for one of his players on two separate occasions: At the ELEAGUE Season 1 group stage when the team’s, at the time, in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen had his visa waiver denied, and at the 2016 ESL One Cologne Valve Major where Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen was sidelined due to appendicitis.

While device so far only seems to be missing out on two games in total, the question is whether or not Astralis can put on a respectable performance without one of their main stars.