As the Braves continue through spring training, the race for a fifth starter behind Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Kevin Gausman and Julio Teheran is under way. Braves beat reporter Gabriel Burns will provide a daily handicap of the race for the final spot.
The rankings will fluctuate as circumstances change, be that because of performance, injury or the team’s thinking.
Here’s how the pitchers stack up March 6:
1. Kyle Wright
Wright has shown everything the Braves could ask for and more this spring. His recent outing, where he glided through the Yankees’ vaunted top of the order, puts him at the top of our rankings.
2. Touki Toussaint
Toussaint entered camp the favorite for the job. He’s had mixed results thus far, with two-run and five-run outings, but Wednesday brought out his best: He logged three scoreless against the Tigers. Toussaint could also come out of the bullpen if he isn’t making routine starts.
3. Max Fried
Fried is on the peripherals of the race. He’ll inevitably make starts in the bigs this season, and the Braves need to figure out what they have in the California lefty as the pitching logjam continues.
4. Luiz Gohara
Gohara has yet to pitch in a game this spring. He pitched a bullpen session Wednesday and emerged pain-free, so his first game action shouldn’t be far away.
5. Bryse Wilson
Wilson struggled in his last appearance, serving up back-to-back homers to the Blue Jays to open the game. He isn’t likely to open the season with the Braves, but he’ll be heard from later in the summer.
6. Kolby Allard
Allard, like Wilson, isn’t likely to factor into the club’s immediate plans. He was dominant in Triple-A last season before getting hit hard in the majors. Allard is trying to re-establish his value as a prospect.
7. Mike Soroka
A healthy Soroka could be the clear front-runner for the job, but his shoulder hasn’t cooperated. Soroka resumed throwing last week and hopes to pitch in games later this spring. He should make an early impact, but he won’t open the season in the big-league rotation.
