The musical chairs of Braves pitchers continued Tuesday, with the team recalling left-hander Max Fried from Triple-A Gwinnett and designated right-hander Miguel Socolovich for assignment.
Fried, 24, is the Braves’ No. 8 prospect, according to Baseball America. He made two starts for Gwinnett, owning a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 11 innings.
Considered a long-shot candidate for a rotation spot entering spring training, Fried was sent to minor league camp March 16 after appearing in just four games. The team said at the time it was to get him stretched out, and he would contribute in the majors soon.
Fried began the season in Double-A, a possibility he was aware of throughout spring, but joined the Triple-A rotation following Aaron Blair's shoulder injury. He made one start in Double-A, pitching 4-2/3 scoreless innings.
He pitched in nine major league games last season, starting four, posting a 3.81 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 26 innings.
Fried hadn’t exceeded four innings in his five starts before the Braves promoting him from Double-A to the majors last August. His deepest MLB outing was 5-1/3 innings against the Mets on Sept. 25. He’s thrown 86 and 87 pitches respectively in his pair of Gwinnett starts.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said last week Matt Wisler would make another start in place of the injured Anibal Sanchez. The organization has maintained Fried is a starter moving forward, even if this stint is strictly as a reliever.
Socolovich, 31, pitched in two games this season. He allowed three runs on three hits Monday against the Reds.
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