Atlanta Braves face two doubleheaders and must decide on a 26th man

The Braves begin a grueling run of 36 games on Tuesday with a doubleheader against the Nationals.  That’s followed by 26 consecutive games before the next day off.

The good news is that after the four games with Washington, the next 12 Atlanta Braves‘ games are home games. The bad news is that the next 16 games include two doubleheaders and could well decide who wins the National League East.

Both MLB and the MLBPA understand that tired players are more prone to mistakes and more importantly:  injury. That’s why the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contains language limiting consecutive days when games may be scheduled and travel restrictions designed to ensure players are well rested.

Unfortunately, interleague play and the desire for a balanced schedule leave little leeway for rescheduling due to weather. This season’s seen more rainouts than at this point in any season this century with 37 rainouts league-wide in April and may alone. As a result, a lot of teams face ridiculous schedules.

MLB and the MLBP agreed in 2011 that a team could add a 26th player to the roster for days when they play a doubleheader.

Enter the 26th man

Teams are allowed to add a 26th man to the roster for doubleheaders schedule between opening day and September 1. Rosters expand on that day removing the need for the extra player.

The 26th man must be on added to the 40-man roster on the day of the scheduled doubleheader. He is available for both games of the twin-bill but that player may not be changed between games.

The standard 10-day wait between a player being optioned to the minors and recalled to the majors is waived for the day of the doubleheader.

In the case of the Atlanta Braves’ games with the Nationals, Kolby Allard and Wes Parsons are available for recall. However, neither player would be allowed to stay on the roster unless they replace a player injured on the day of the doubleheader since neither will have the required 10 days of minor league time since their last cup of coffee.

• If the Braves add Allard as the 26th man and another player goes on the DL due to injury the day of the doubleheader Allard could stay. Otherwise, he must go back to Gwinnett until his 10-day waiting period is over.
• Since the Braves optioned Allard on August 1 he’s eligible for recall on August 11.
• If he’s used as the 26th man and returns to Gwinnett, he’s eligible to return on August 12.

Since the player gets paid as a major league player on that day and accrues one day of service time, the date of the doubleheader that date doesn’t count towards his 10 minor league days.

The Atlanta Braves 40-man roster

The Braves are likely to choose a pitcher as the 26th man even though any player on the 40-man may be added.  I’ve included the current 40-man roster below.

O’Day remains on the 10-day DL but could quickly slip to the 60-day to clear a roster spot if the Braves decided to add another arm or perhaps a waiver deal for the left-hand hitting bench bat they sought, but didn’t get at the deadline.

I believe Hursh’s demotion to AA signals he’s the next player outrighted when a spot is needed.

As it stands right now I expect Parsons or Gohara to get the call for this doubleheader. That would allow Allard to return on Saturday if needed to backup Julio’s projected start.

That’s a wrap

The 26th man rule isn’t complex but its implications on the 10-day minor league stay rule aren’t well known.

I expect Parsons the be the man called because he’s made a lot of one-day trips in the last few days. I rule out Whitely who seems to have evaporated after his last outing in May but still holds a roster spot while Reed and Ruiz seem extremely long shots right now.

UPDATE:  Well, we have an answer…

The Waiver wire is active so they may add someone before the game. At this point predicting who they are targeting is not much more accurate than a magic 8-ball.