Bryse Wilson could take the next turn on the Braves’ pitching carousel.
After optioning Sean Newcomb to the alternate training site, as manager Brian Snitker announced Monday night, the Braves recalled Wilson, who’s getting his first taste of the majors this season.
“I’m not entirely sure (what my role will be),” said Wilson, who was on the team’s taxi squad in Philadelphia before he was recalled in advance of Tuesday’s game in New York. “I’m just here to fill whatever spot they put me in. They haven’t notified me of anything, so I’m just here for whenever I’m needed.”
Credit: Atlanta Braves
Wilson, 22, has appeared in nine games (five starts) over the past two seasons. He has a 7.00 ERA with 22 walks against 16 strikeouts in the small sample of 27 innings. The right-hander is fastball-heavy, still trying to develop his change-up and slider to take another leap in his development.
At the team’s alternate training site, Wilson was on a five-day rotation. He threw a four-inning simulated game and then two five-inning editions.
“Over the last couple weeks in Gwinnett and here, throwing bullpens every other day, I’ve made some mechanical changes,” Wilson said. “My confidence level in my repertoire is a lot better than it was last year. So, I’m ready to go and fully prepared to do whatever they throw at me.
“The change-up, even last year, was my best secondary pitch. I’ve improved that a little bit. I’ve worked with the slider a little bit. My fastball command has been good. Really, as a whole, I’m happy with how everything has played out. With the change-up, I’m getting a little more depth. The slider, I’m trying to get some depth to it. The slider is about consistency. I’ve reached a point where I’m pretty confident throwing it consistently.”
The Braves haven’t announced their rotation plans, but it’s possible Wilson will be making his first start in the coming days. The Braves pushed Kyle Wright to Friday, leaving a vacancy for Wednesday’s start against the Yankees. The team also will need to fill Newcomb’s position in four days.
Wilson has been throwing bullpen sessions every other day since Aug. 1. He would go on full rest for Wednesday if the Braves go that route.
“We have no plan right now,” Snitker said. “It depends on how we get there. That literally is the case. We’ll make a decision tonight. I’m not saying it couldn’t be Bryse, but we literally are going to have to wait and see when the game is over tonight where we’re at.”
Max Fried, Touki Toussaint and Wright currently comprise the rotation. The Braves had a successful “bullpen game” Sunday, started by Huascar Ynoa, and seem likely use that strategy again in the near future.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
Notes from Tuesday:
» The Braves began a two-game series against the Yankees on Tuesday night. New York, stocked with sluggers and fresh off signing righty Gerrit Cole to a historic deal, entered the season as American League favorites. They’re 10-6, though they’re 5-5 in their past 10.
“I look at that lineup, it’s very dangerous,” Snitker said. “They’re very dangerous here (at Yankee Stadium). I know coming in, coaching and managing, that they play to this ballpark pretty well. It’s a strong club. It’s going to be a challenging two days here.”
» First baseman Matt Adams landed on the injured list five days ago with a strained left hamstring. He’s been “feeling better,” Snitker said. The same can be said of second baseman Ozzie Albies, who was placed on the 10-day IL the same day with a bone bruise in his right hand.
“Reports say (Adams) is doing well,” Snitker said. “As well as Ozzie. He’s just getting treatment. They wanted to shut him down for a little bit and let that thing heal. We don’t want to get him back too quick because he’d be a swing away from being right back to the starting point. Things are going good with both of them.”
