Ever since Spencer Strider’s 2024 campaign ended early after having to have season ending surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow with an internal brace the Braves have tried a couple of different solutions when it comes to filling that hole in the rotation.
First, Bryce Elder, who was an all-star last season, was given a chance to show he could revert back the all-star pitcher he was in the first half of 2023 season, but he struggled much like he did in the second half of the season and postseason last year. Then, the young flame-thrower AJ-Smith-Shawver came up and looked promising, but he suffered a strained left oblique which still has him on the injured list for the time being. Now, the Braves have seemed to figure something out with a six man rotation, and earlier today The Morning Shift explained why the success of Reynaldo López and Chris Sale is proof of it.
“Chris Sale has thrown 84 innings, and his ERA is very low, I think it’s like a three. Reynaldo López has thrown I think around 80 innings at this point and his ERA is 1.57.” Beau Morgan said.
Chris Sale after battling injuries for a few seasons is finally healthy this season and has shown he has a lot left in the tank, and part of the reason Sale has been able to stay healthy is because he hasn’t had to pitch as many innings because he’s gotten that extra day off which has kept him fresh. The same goes for Reynaldo López, who is a starter again after being a reliever for the majority of his career, and the six-man rotation has allowed the Braves to not overwork López’s arm, and really ease him back into being a starter this season.
The six man rotation has had the same effect on Max Fried as well who has had his own injury history, and Charlie Morton who is 40, but the Braves having a six-man rotation now will also ensure that when the rotation shrinks during the postseason Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo López will be fresh and ready to hopefully help win the Braves another World Series title.