Atlanta Braves Luiz Gohara is supposedly progressing well, could return sooner
By Jeff Schafer
Braves LHP Gohara hasn’t pitched an inning this year…when will he?
We’re hearing good news out of the Atlanta Braves camp about starting pitcher Luiz Gohara! The big 6’3″, 210-pound left-handed pitcher, has been dealing with two separate injuries this Spring Training and hasn’t thrown in a game yet.
It started with a left groin strain within the first weeks of Spring Training. After a few weeks passed, the southpaw threw a few bullpens and live batting practices and was reportedly ready to return. Well, that got put on hold once again because of an ankle injury.
The 21-year-old prospect was gearing up to throw in his first Grapefruit League start, but instead the start was pushed back again because he sprained his left ankle during pitchers’ drills.
Braves website says he had X-Rays on March 9th on the ankle and was on crutches on March 10th. Must have really turned it.
Yesterday, Braves manager Brian Snitker told media that Gohara was throwing, but not off the mound yet. He went on to say that they’re expecting him back by the beginning of May.
Just looking ahead a little, I threw out the May 8-10 series against the Tampa Bay Rays for his return. But the news out of camp today, it may be before that.
Today, Snitker told the media that Gohara is progressing quicker than they expected and could be ready by late April. Also, I’m guessing Gohara threw off the mound today because yesterday he said he hadn’t yet.
Good news for Luiz Gohara, who is progressing quicker than initially expected. Snit says he's moving around well and throwing off the mound. Will have to go through whole spring training progression. Barring setbacks, could be ready by late April/early May. #Braves @680TheFan
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) March 23, 2018
After being called up to Atlanta at the end of the 2017 season, Gohara went 1-3 in five starts with a 4.91 ERA, 2.5 BB/9 and 9.5 SO/9 over 29 1/3 innings. He was supposedly a shoe-in for a Braves rotation spot heading into the Spring Training.
After the groin injury, we all thought he could work his way into the rotation — the Braves won’t need a 5th starter until April 11th because of how their schedule is lineup with off-days.
As for Gohara, he’ll likely need five or six weeks to be ready to go again. That means he could stay in Florida for the expanded Spring Training as well as be with the Gwinnett Brav…oh wait, Stripers.
Next: Who gets the ball for the Braves on Opening Day?
This progress news is great. It’s good to see this note from Snitker about Gohara throwing again and he’s given a timeline for his return. This dude is going to be something special for the Braves, it’s just a matter of time!