Atlanta Braves Afternoon News Break
By Fred Owens
Atlanta Braves Afternoon News Break
A few items popped up this afternoon worthy or passing along as we get ready for the game.
Lineup Change
Williams Perez starts today after Julio Teheran was scratched so you get the RHH Braves against lefty Alex Wood.
- Nick Markakis RF
- Daniel Castro 2B
- Freddie Freeman 1B
- Adonis Garcia 3B
- Jeff Francoeur LF
- Tyler Flowers C
- Erick Aybar SS
- Mallex Smith CF
- Williams Perez P
Julio Teheran was pushed back because he’s fighting a cold according to these Tweets for the beat writers.
Williams Perez will start tonight in place of Julio Teheran, who is now expected to start tomorrow
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 19, 2016
Teheran has been battling a cold over the past week and he developed a fever last night. #Braves decided this morning to push him back a day
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 19, 2016
Perez started Friday and threw 71 pitches against the Fish.
Players Not Playing
According to multiple sources including Ken Rosenthal, MLB has extended Olivera’s admin leave.
Sources: MLB, union agree to extend Olivera’s paid administrative leave by two weeks. Domestic-violence policy allows for such an extension.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 19, 2016
Extension gives MLB additional time to investigate before making disciplinary ruling. Olivera’s original leave was due to expire tomorrow.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 19, 2016
This is just an administrative shuffle to allow the process to take its course.
On the bright side
We may get our Ender Inciarte back early in May.
Fredi G. is hopeful Inciarte will return before the end of the month, but he conceded the CF might be sidelined into May's first week.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 19, 2016
Good News from the Minors
I wrote this morning about Max Povse being named to Jim Callis prospect team of the week now comes word that Jonathan Mayo named his list of top ten prospect duos and with Ozzie Albies and Sean Newcomb listed at number three.
"3. Braves: Sean Newcomb and Ozzie Albies, Mississippi (23)Newcomb, the key part of the return in the Andrelton Simmons deal, has been very tough to hit in his first two Double-A starts in a Braves uniform, but he’ll have to cut the walk rate (6 BB in 10 IP) down. Albies made the double-jump to Mississippi and hasn’t missed a beat."
Former AJC beat writer says that Max Fried is back and looking good.
"Fried pitched six scoreless innings Thursday in Asheville to lower his ERA to 1.54. He has given up just two earned runs on five hits in 11 innings with five walks and 11 strikeouts.“Everything is feeling good,” said Fried, who is scheduled to pitch again Wednesday in Augusta. “I’m very happy with where I am now.”"
That’s A Wrap
Taken in sum this is a rush of good news for the Braves. Pitchers they bet on are doing well, prospects are being recognized among the best and Inciarte will be back; probably in May.
Next: To Trade or Not To Trade, is that the question?
The Olivera mess won’t be finished for a while and what happens afterwards is anyone’s guess.
As news happens we’ll try to stay on top of it so keep checking in her on the Take.