Circumstances have kept rookie right-hander David Hale in the Braves’ bullpen for most of this season but he’ll get one more chance to show his value as a starter.
Hale will take Mike Minor’s turn in the rotation on Thursday against the Pirates after Minor was shut down with shoulder pain. It will be Hale’s first start since the second game of a doubleheader at Philadelphia on June 28.
At least two of five Braves starters are likely to be different in 2015. Hale’s future with the team could be as a relief pitcher or starter, depending on how the team fills out its rotation.
“Either one is fine with me,” Hale said. “If I had a choice I’d be starting, but as long as I get to pitch here.”
In five starts (28 1/3 innings) this season Hale is 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA, 18 strikeouts and 1.20 walks and hits per inning pitched. In 39 relief appearances (54 1/3 innings) Hale is 2-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 22 strikeouts and 1.564 WHIP.
Hale, 26, began the season as a starter because of injuries to Mike Minor and Gavin Floyd.
“Hopefully I’ve put in a good word for myself on starting or relieving so if they look for either one of those in the future they will be willing to call me again,” Hale said.
Hale, a product of The Walker School in Marietta, was a third-round draft pick for the Braves in 2009 out of Princeton University.
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