Monday was an exciting day for Braves fans. Kyle Wright toed the rubber for the first time this Spring because of a shoulder issue. He only made it through 2.2 innings, and the stat line was unsightly — 2.2 innings, four earned runs, on five hits, including two home runs — but that should be taken with a grain of salt. Wright admitted he was working on things, and what’s most important is that he said he felt fine on the mound, which is all this outing was about.
Wright said the velo drop with his last few fastballs was a product of him making toying with his mechanics. His shoulder felt fine and he remains confident he'll be ready to make a start in St. Louis https://t.co/JsXOoYboRn
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 20, 2023
Kyle Wright’s now one step closer to being fully stretched out. He’ll likely make another appearance in about a week, looking to throw around 50 pitches. He won’t be ready for the start of the season; I expect to see him in Atlanta sometime around the middle of April.
Other top storylines from Monday’s action surround Matt Olson, who continues to tear the cover off the ball this Spring, and Vaughn Grissom.
Olson went 2-for-4 against the Rays, mashing his sixth home run. That leads all major leaguers in Spring Training. The season can’t start soon enough for the Braves first baseman.
Matt Olson now leads MLB with six home runs this spring! pic.twitter.com/SrcndvN5tH
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 20, 2023
Grissom also impressed, racking up three hits in four at-bats. This was his first start at shortstop in six games, which has caused some to question whether the Braves are having doubts about giving him the job to open the season.
It is peculiar how the team has handled it, but Grissom is approaching a .400 batting average this Spring. He’s been one of the Braves most reliable offensive pieces, even if there are some concerns defensively. If the plan was for him to be the starting shortstop on Opening Day coming into camp, I’m not sure how he’s done anything to lose the job over the last month. If anything, Grissom has cemented himself as the starting shortstop, but we’ll know soon enough with Opening Day just 10 days away.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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