Atlanta Braves news and notes from Wednesday
I am weary of talking about the severe offensive underperformance, so let’s talk briefly about something Alex Anthopoulos talked about: the team using a 6-man rotation at the moment. On the one hand, their production has not been great outside of their top four starting pitchers, so there is a reasonable instinct to lean more on them. However, their top four all either have recent injury issues, are 40 years old, or are converting back to being a starting pitcher. It also may meaningfully help the effectiveness of that top four to get the extra day of rest. This may not be the optimal strategy to win the division, but it may be the optimal strategy to attempt winning the World Series, given the current situation in the standings and the value of keeping those pitchers healthy and fresh for the postseason. Of course, the offense has to produce at a level better than this for any of that to matter, but I like the strategy overall, even if it perhaps is suboptimal in the short term.
Braves News
From a more positive perspective, check out our piece on the genuinely great season that Marcell Ozuna is putting together at the plate.
Alex Anthopoulos said that the team likes using a 6-man rotation for now to mitigate workload on their starters, but they may pare it back to 5 at a later date as they see fit. He mentioned this among other things he discussed with members of the press.
Spencer Schwellenbach was solid and Matt Olson hit a key homer to tie the game late, but the Braves lost another in very 2024 Braves’ fashion, 4-2 to Baltimore.
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MLB News
Kansas City’s Hunter Renfroe avoided a foot fracture, and surgery, but will still need time for his bone bruise to heal.
The Yankees reinstated top outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez from the IL, where he had been recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Padres (as per usual) are looking to be active in trades at the deadline, this time reportedly looking heavily at relievers (The Athletic paywall).
The Dodgers traded reliever Braydon Fisher to the Blue Jays for recently DFA’d utilityman Cavan Biggio.