The Braves have yet to announce their starter for the series opener tonight against the Nats. However, after Kyle Wright was scratched from last night’s start in Gwinnett, he appears to be in line to return to Atlanta for his first major league start since April 12th.
Wright began the year as the team’s third starter due to a plethora of injuries to the Braves rotation. He did have one quality start against the Marlins, but his other two outings suggested he wasn’t ready for the majors just yet. After giving up six runs in 3.2 innings to the Mets, he was sent down to Gwinnett where his struggles continued.
It wasn’t until the last month or so that the Braves fourth-ranked prospect finally got back on track. In his last five starts for the Stripers, he’s averaging over six innings pitched, sporting a 1.99 ERA with 37 strikeouts compared to only eight walks.
There are high expectations for former 5th overall pick out of Vanderbilt, and the Braves are showing their faith in him by letting him open a critical series versus the second-place Nationals. With Max Fried on the IL, and Bryse Wilson scuffling, this is an opportunity for Wright to ink his name in the rotation for good.