photo by Tim Evearitt
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has been among the many who have long assumed Julio Teheran will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for Atlanta this year. But Gonzalez did not make it official until he shared a brief casual exchange with his young right-hander after Friday's rain-shortened win over the Red Sox.
Teheran responded with a smile and then prepared to speak to the group of reporters who were standing nearby waiting to ask him about being given the chance to start the April 6 season opener in Miami.
While Alex Wood and Shelby Miller have the potential to provide some competition over the next few years, there was never much reason to doubt that this assignment would once again go to Teheran, who has posted a 3.03 ERA through his first two full seasons in Atlanta's rotation. This ERA ranks sixth among all National League pitchers who have made at least 60 starts since the start of the 2013 season.
If these past two seasons were an indication of what might transpire over the course of his career, Teheran will likely be in position to make many more Opening Day starts. His first experience with this honor transpired last year as he surrendered two earned runs over six innings during a season-opening loss in Milwaukee.
Teheran, who celebrated his 24th birthday in January, is set to join Pat Jarvis, Phil Niekro, Rick Mahler, Greg Maddux and Derek Lowe as the only pitchers in Braves history to make consecutive Opening Day starts. Jarvis was the only other member of this group to draw this honor before his 30th birthday.
After gaining a six-year, $32.4 million extension that provides a chance for him to remain in Atlanta through at least the 2019 season, Teheran earned his first All-Star selection and produced a 2.89 ERA over 33 starts.
Teheran made his last true regular-season tuneup as he threw 100 pitches over 5 2/3 innings against the Red Sox on Friday afternoon. When he makes his final exhibition season start against the Phillies on Wednesday, he will likely be slated to complete just three innings.
Fredi Gonzalez still trying to decide how to fill out the starting rotation
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday that the fifth spot in the rotation is "still up in the air," and the team isn't ready to officially announce how the other starters will line up behind Teheran.
That said, don't expect any surprises whenever Gonzalez gets around to naming his starters for the Braves' Opening Series against the Marlins.
Left-hander Alex Wood started Saturday against the Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, and it's likely that he will follow Teheran in the regular-season rotation. In Saturday's action, Wood went seven innings giving up three runs on seven hits.
Right-hander Shelby Miller will pitch Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, potentially putting him in place to be Atlanta's No. 3 starter.
Wandy Rodriguez is the top candidate to fill one of the two remaining spots in the rotation, and the battle for the fifth spot includes Mike Foltynewicz, Eric Stults and Cody Martin.
With an off-day on April 9, the Braves might not technically need a fifth starter until April 15, but they likely will break camp with a full complement of starters. That means they'll have to pick a fifth starter within the next few days.
--- Source: MLB.com