Luiz Gohara is ahead of schedule as he recovers from a sprained ankle.
Gohara injured his ankle March 9, setting him further back after he already was delayed by a sprained groin sustained running sprints during the first week of spring training.
Considered the favorite for one of two open rotation spots entering camp, Gohara hasn’t pitched in a game this spring. He was in crutches as recently as last weekend.
“He’s doing really good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s playing catch. He’s covering first, on the mound. They’re keeping his arm going. Actually, I think it’s healing quicker than they thought it would. So he’s probably ahead of where they thought he might be.”
Gohara remains unlikely to come back until May, given that he was already behind before the latest injury. Even with the progress, there’s no timetable for his return.
“Big thing is just to keep his arm going,” Snitker said. “Obviously he was behind anyway, so he’s going to have to start that process again. But he’s day-to-day. He’s healing better than expected.”
The Braves won’t need a fifth starter until April 10, 11 games into the season. With Gohara out, veteran lefty Scott Kazmir and former prospects Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler and Aaron Blair are competing to fill the void.
Gohara made five starts in September, impressing with his mound presence and strikeout potential.
