With Spencer Strider out for the season, the Braves already have a revolving door at the back of their rotation. Allan Winans got the first opportunity in Strider’s place and struggled mightily. Tomorrow, it will be Darius Vines.
Maybe Vines sticks, maybe he doesn’t. The latter is probably more likely. Bryce Elder is still waiting for his opportunity, and Dylan Dodd and AJ Smith-Shawver should also be in the conversation soon. The wild card, however, is Huascar Ynoa.
Ynoa made his first start a couple of weeks ago since August of 2022 after recovering from Tommy John surgery and was brilliant, tossing four scoreless innings. But he followed it up with a stinker, failing to make it out of the second inning and surrendering six earned runs.
On Sunday afternoon, Ynoa toed the rubber for the third time this season and his outing was much more reminiscent of his first than his second. He made it through four innings and only gave up one hit, which was a home run, with one walk.
Huascar Ynoa pitched four innings in his start Sunday for Triple-A Gwinnett and allowed one hit (solo homer) and one run with one walk and three strikeouts.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 15, 2024
The stat line is encouraging, but there is definitely something to be said about the dip in velocity Ynoa has experienced since returning from injury. His fastball once sat in the high-90s but is now more around 91-93, which isn’t too much faster than his changeup.
It’s still early in Ynoa’s recovery, so perhaps the heater begins to heat up in the summer months as he continues to gain strength. If not, he’ll have to adjust to who he is now as a pitcher, or it will be difficult to find the same success he had early in his career with the Braves.
—
Photo: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.