After pitching just three times this month, the Braves optioned Luiz Gohara to Triple-A on Sunday.
Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged Saturday that the team was considering its options with their prized lefty. Gohara’s made one start since joining the club in early May.
“He’s not pitching regularly,” Snitker said. “He needs to. There’s a balance between that and our need here, too. That’s something going forward that we need to look at. Also, what’s best for him and us.”
The Braves decided Gohara was better off developing in Gwinnett than serving mop-up duty for the big-league team.
Gohara, 21, has made seven appearances. His lone start came in Philadelphia on May 23, when he allowed two runs and struck out six in four innings.
But Gohara hasn’t appeared sharp since returning from the bereavement list June 3. He left the team for 11 days to visit his recovering mother in Brazil.
He’s since allowed nine runs in 4-2/3 innings, including the Padres hitting him for six on his second day back.
The past six months have been grueling for Gohara. His father died in December, and his mother required heart surgery. He fell a month behind his colleagues after not making in appearance in spring training due to groin and ankle injuries.
After entering spring the clear favorite for a backend rotation spot, Gohara didn’t pitch in the majors until May 10.
“I don’t think his arm is where it was last year,” Snitker said. “Just because he hasn’t had the workload.”
The team signed Luke Jackson, whom it designated for assignment Wednesday, to fill Gohara’s bullpen spot, likely on a temporary basis.
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