The Braves on Monday officially recalled Allan Winans to start the series opener versus the Mets at Truist Park. In a corresponding move, they placed right-hander Yonny Chirinos on the 15-day injured list, backdated to Aug. 20, with right elbow inflammation.
“It was just one of them (things),” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think as much as anything, it’s guys that come off of Tommy John and everything, that experience that kind of stuff every now and then. He’s been starting now and regular and logging a bunch of innings. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious for him.”
In 2020, Chirinos underwent Tommy John surgery on that elbow. In 2021, he needed another surgery after fracturing it.
Will he pitch again this season?
“Well, I don’t know,” Snitker said. “They put him through all the tests and everything today, and I haven’t talked to (head athletic trainer) George (Poulis) if they’ve gotten the results and everything back. So, really, you don’t know. Hopefully, but you’re not sure.”
Since the Braves claimed Chirinos off waivers from the Rays in July, he’s allowed 23 earned runs in 22⅓ innings pitched. His best of his five starts came Aug. 2, when he surrendered three runs over five innings.
Chirinos has eclipsed five years of Major League service time, which means the Braves cannot option him without his consent. In other words, he would need to be designated for assignment if they took him off their roster. Instead, he is on the injured list.
When Chirinos is eligible to return, rosters will have expanded to 28 players, meaning teams can carry an extra pitcher. If he’s healthy, perhaps Chirinos would use one of those final two roster spots.
For now, Winans could take Chirinos’ spot in the rotation, if the Braves choose to go that way. He was the next in line when they needed a starter.
In Triple-A, Winans leads qualified starters in the International League with a 2.79 ERA, more than a full run better than the second-place mark. His 1.03 WHIP and .212 opponents’ batting average also are the best in the league.
