Julio Teheran pitched four strong innings, allowing only one run, in a 7-4 loss to the Yankees Sunday and continued his bid to be the Braves Opening Day starter.
The Braves haven’t made it official yet, but if Teheran stays on his normal rest he lines up perfectly to pitch Opening Day in Milwaukee on March 31.
Kris Medlen, who was originally projected to be the Opening Day starter, and Brandon Beachy are both scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday to learn the extent of their elbow ligament damage and whether they’ll both have to undergo a second Tommy John surgery.
In the meantime the Braves plan to announce how they’ll adjust their rotation coming out of Tuesday’s off day, which should give further confirmation that Teheran will get that March 31 nod.
“I feel ready,” said Teheran, who walked one and struck out five, including three in a row to strand two runners in the first. “I feel like I’ve got my best command. I feel ready for the season and let’s see what they say.”
Pastornicky cleared
Tyler Pastornicky was cleared for his first game action coming off surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament and played in a minor league game Sunday.
After proving to the Braves medical staff Saturday he could slide on that surgically-repaired knee, he got four at-bats Sunday – hitting every inning he played in a minor league game. He played four innings in the field at second base.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Pastornicky will take Monday off and play in minor league games again Tuesday and Thursday. If all continues to go well, Gonzalez plans to get Pastornicky into one of the Braves’ split-squad games on Friday.
At that point there will be only seven games left before the Braves break camp, so it’s doubtful Pastornicky will be ready to make the major league roster as a backup infielder. That could go to a utility guy like Tyler Greene instead. But the Braves will keep a close eye on Pastornicky and how he progresses in Triple-A Gwinnett.
“The biggest thing is to just make sure he gets out of here healthy,” Gonzalez said. “And if he does and we need something shortly thereafter (bring him up).”
