David Hale came to the ballpark packed and with a suit to fly on the Braves chartered trip to Miami after Sunday’s game. He’s not sure yet of his fate – and whether he’ll be sent back to Triple-A when Mike Minor is activated from the disabled list – but he wasn’t slowing down to ask.
“They haven’t told me not to, so I’m going to get on that plane until they kick me off,” Hale said, with a smile. “At least give me an off day in Miami, right?”
Hale will head out knowing he’s done about everything in his power to make the impending roster decision as tough as possible on the Braves.
In what could well be his last start for a while, Hale pitched eight dominant innings, allowing only two hits, in a 4-1 win over the Reds. He retired 21 of 22 batters he faced after allowing a double in the first inning, including 14 in a row.
“I kind of needed that one with all these decisions going on,” Hale said. “Make it difficult on them, put it in their court.”
Minor is ready to pitch when that spot comes up again Friday against the Giants, after a five-outing minor league rehabilitation from shoulder tendinitis (plus another start against the Braves Future All-Stars).
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has indicated the Braves are not considering a six-man rotation, which means Hale could either find himself back in Triple-A Gwinnett staying stretched out or in the bullpen, which he prefers of the two scenarios.
“I understand the logic behind (being sent to Gwinnett) but I don’t want that; I’d much rather live this life,” said Hale, who thinks he could stay sharp in the bullpen. “Especially if I was longer relief or something, but it’s their decision, unfortunately. I wish I could make it, but we’ll see what happens. Whatever decision they make, I understand.”
