A day later, Julio Teheran is on the Braves roster for the National League Division Series.
The Braves got MLB approval for a roster substitution following the injury to relief pitcher Chris Martin. Martin was injured warming up before the eighth inning of Game 1 against the Cardinals Thursday. The Braves named Teheran as the replacement following medical examinations to Martin’s left oblique.
The move also alters Max Fried’s role. Fried, who pitched out of the bullpen Thursday, could be called upon in high-leverage situations to fill the Martin void.
“It's going to affect the bullpen,” manager Brian Snitker said. “That's a huge hit right there. Probably Max is going to need to maybe fill that role and pitch some of those high-leverage innings late in the game.
“We know he can do it. And he's got stuff to do it and all that. That's probably going to elevate him to those roles now.”
According to MLB rules, Martin is ineligible to return should the Braves advance to the National League Championship Series. He would be eligible for the World Series.
Teheran in bullpen: As for where that leaves Fried in a potential Game 4, Snitker wouldn't rule out the lefty starting that game (as he was scheduled to do). Teheran is another option, but like Fried, he's set for a bullpen role at the moment.
“He's going to be in the bullpen right now,” Snitker said of Teheran. “He could possibly be a Game 4 starter. Just like I say, he may have to fill a mid-game-type area where, because we know he could cover two or three innings. He's going to be available down there. And just depends on the flow of the game.”
What curse? Dansby Swanson, an Atlanta area native, didn't seem fazed by the supposed Atlanta sports curse that's referenced upon every local team's excruciating loss. Whether it was 28-3, two blown halftime leads against Alabama or the Braves' long-lasting playoff woes, Swanson downplayed the subject.
“I think that's y'all's (media’s) job,” Swanson said. “We worry about playing each day, like I said. And I think that's what makes us so special. That's what we do. History is history, but today is today. So we're going to go out and do what we do.”
