KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Julio Teheran’s first spring appearance was in a minor league game, and his next was Wednesday against the Houston Astros. Their lineup was considerably more imposing.
Teheran gave up two runs and three hits in three innings, including a Jason Castro home run to start the second inning in a 9-5 Astros win against the Braves at Osceola County Stadium. Teheran retired the last six batters he faced including Jose Altuve to end the second inning and George Springer, Carlos Correa and Luis Valbuena in the third.
“It’s a lot different throwing in a minor league game or simulated game,” said Teheran, the Braves’ planned opening-day starter, who threw two innings in a minor league game last week before his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday.
“I feel good, that’s the most important thing. My arm, my body feels good,” he said. “It feels weird to be back on the mound in the game. But everything feels good. I threw all my pitches and they were working good.”
After Freddie Freeman’s tying two-run homer for the Braves in the third inning, the Astros blew the game open with a five-run fourth inning against Chris Volstad, who recorded just two outs and gave up three hits, three earned runs and a walk.
A non-roster invitee who came to spring training to compete for a spot in the starting rotation, Volstad has struggled mightily, giving up eight hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and three walks in 2 2/3 innings over two appearances.
