Atlanta Braves outrighted RHP Miguel Socolovich to Triple-A, LHP Luiz Gohara is reinstated!

Braves reinstated Gohara on Sunday…though good, it’s a few days later then expected

Hola-freakin-lola!!  Atlanta Braves have reinstated left-handed pitcher Luiz Gohara and have outrighted right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Gohara went on the bereavement list on May 23rd to spend time with his mother in Brazil, who recently underwent heart surgery.  Per the MLB rules, a player can stay on that list three-to-seven days.  Gohara spent 10-days on the list.

I asked AJC’s Gabe Burns what happened with this and he said “He was just moved to the restricted list for a couple days. The team can opt not to pay him for that time if desired”.

Gohara told reporters on Sunday morning that he was hoping to be in Atlanta by Friday, but a gas shortage in Brazil led him to miss one flight. And two later flights were cancelled.

Because Gohara is back, the Braves decided to make the obvious choice by moving Socolovich…somewhere, anywhere.

Socolovich is awful and has been awful since the first time we all saw him in Spring Training.  The 31-year-old has a 10.80 ERA in his four appearances in Atlanta during the regular season.  In five innings, he’s gave up eight hits, six runs, two walks and had four strikeouts.

In the 2018 Spring Training, Socolovich held a 9.95 ERA in his seven appearances.  I think we all remember his first outing when he gave up three hits, three walks, one hit-batter and six runs…in 2/3 innings.

He hasn’t improved really since and now he’s back in the minors…thankfully!  Especially after Saturday night’s performance.  For our full recap, check it out here.

Socolovich entered the game on Saturday with a 3-3 tie in the 14th inning.  I think we all kinda knew it was over once he entered the game.  And that indeed it was.  He gave up three hits (one to Max Scherzer), a walk and two runs.

Gohara has had a difficult past six/seven months.  In December of 2017, his father passed away.  Then, once Spring Training starter he suffered a groin injury and then an ankle injury.  Those two injuries led him to not pitch at all during the ST season.  Then, his mother had the surgery.

He told reporters that his mom is doing better and it’s an obviously a big relief.

He’ll be available out of the bullpen today.

The 21-year-old has primarily been a starting pitcher throughout his professional career.  At all levels, he’s started 83 of the 96 games he’s appeared in.  But because of a full rotation, bullpen needs and being slowed by injuries, the Braves decided to use him out of the bullpen.

He pitched out of the pen three times in 2018 before his first start.  That came on May 23rd, his final day with the team prior to leaving for Brazil.

Next: Braves SP Mike Soroka makes first rehab start

With his return, I think the Braves will place him back in the bullpen.  This will be until something happens…an injury, a trade, a veteran struggling.  I’m a fan of Gohara as a starting pitcher and think he’ll get more starts in 2018.