March 9, 2021 –
BY KEVIN MCALPIN
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – As the Braves continue to evaluate options for the rotation, Mike Soroka continues to progress to the point he could make a start before the end of Spring Training. Based on that timeline, return to the rotation for Soroka could come earlier than initially expected. The Braves will only need four starters the first time through the rotation, so whoever wins that spot might only be called upon to make a handful of starts. While Bryse Wilson seems to have an inside track to that spot, Kyle Wright and Huscar Ynoa have also been throwing the ball well in the early going. 

With one, possibly two spots up for grabs in the Atlanta pen, Ynoa could certainly be a long relief option if the club decides his big arm might be more valuable to have more than once per week. The 22 year old Ynoa logged four scoreless against the Dodgers in Game Three of the NLCS last October. With a fastball that can reach the upper 90’s and a wipeout breaking ball, Ynoa has shown a ton of upside. And with the Braves starting the year in Philly, where it’s been known to be on the cooler end in early April, having someone stretched out to cover multiple innings will be vital. 

Kevin McAlpin has covered the Braves since 2012 for @680TheFan and the @BravesRadioNet