The Braves plan to start Max Fried on Saturday rather than Sunday, an effort to avoid the blister-prone lefty pitching on a humid afternoon in Philadelphia.
In a calculated decision, the Braves believe it would be better for Fried – who’s on the injured list because of a blister – to return in a night game rather than during the day, lessening the risk of his blister returning.
“The medical staff thinks it’d be more conducive to not get the blister in the heat and humidity,” manager Brian Snitker said before Wednesday’s game against the Royals at SunTrust Park. “If he went during a night game instead of a day game (would be better). So we’ll shoot for Saturday.”
Fried exited his start July 15 in Milwaukee because of a blister, an unfortunate recurring theme of his young career. The Braves expected him back this weekend, initially saying he would start Sunday.
Losing Fried would’ve been a tremendous blow to an already unstable rotation. Mike Soroka and Dallas Keuchel and reliable, and Julio Teheran is a good bet to eat innings, but the team lacked dependable options otherwise.
Fried will now make one start before the trade deadline, a chance to make the Braves feel more comfortable should they not add external help to the rotation. Or perhaps increase their urgency to address it.
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