Alex Wood Scratched Eric Stults Starts Instead
By Fred Owens
Word came late this afternoon that Alex Wood was scratched from tonight’s start dues to illness. Eric Stults will make the start instead.
Multiple sources confirm the AJC report that Wood felt unwell last night and the team doctor said he would be unable to start tonight. The Braves turn instead to the recently exiled Stults to make the start.
Stults was banished to the bullpen and mop up duties after his start nine days ago against Cincinnati when he gave up five runs on six hits in five innings. In seven starts this season Stults averaged 5 2/3 innings and allowed less than 3 runs just twice. On the season he has a 5.39 ERA and 1.289 WHIP and has a home run rate of 2 per nine innings. Those numbers resulted in his replacement by rookie Williams Perez.
To reinforce the bullpen the Braves options Adonis Garcia to Gwinnett and recalled lefty Ian Thomas. Wood is expected to make his next start against the Dodgers on Wednesday.
That’s a Wrap
Garcia was a victim of veteran syndrome manifested by his option to Gwinnett while Eric Young Jr. warms the bench. One wonders why Fredi Gonzales used Trevor Cahill last night instead of Stults since he knew Wood was ill and Stults is well past his sell by date. Gonzalez stated his expectations to the AJC.
"“. . .I don’t know how long we can go with (Stults) but if he can give us four or five innings I will jump for joy.”"
That’s anything but a vote of confidence from Fredi and an opinion most fans agree with.
The Braves have Shelby Miller starting tomorrow so the pen should get some rest if Stults is shaky tonight.