Braves Gohara still has time to be ready to make April 11th start
The magic date for Luiz Gohara has been April 11th. When the Atlanta Braves left-handed youngster strained his left groin running in the opening week of the 2018 Spring Training, April 11th was the date we saw everywhere. Why? Well, I’ll tell you…
The Braves have two off-days scheduled within the 2018 regular season’s first eight days. That’s essential for Gohara and the Braves. This means that the Braves have the option of using just a four-man rotation until the date of April 11th.
Gohara on paper, would and could be ready for this start….IF, and that’s a big IF, no setbacks occur. The good news so far out of camp…no setbacks have occurred. In fact, he’s progressing well and on his way back.
The 21-year-old threw live batting practice to hitters today without any discomfort. Braves manager Brian Snitker told the media that Gohara will probably throw a “couple more this week” and he could see game action at some point next week. Which means he’ll probably get the day off tomorrow, possible throw live BP again Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Then be ready to roll next week.
Snitker went on to tell media “He’s good, he feels good. Stuff was really good.” — Snit already going back to his clutch wording “good, he feels good, really good”. Ha, I joke.
With this schedule laid out and Gohara continuing to not have any issues, an April 11th start is possible.
Gohara got through today's live BP without any discomfort. If he continues to progress, he should still have time to be ready by April 11, when the Braves will first need to carry five starters
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 5, 2018
Gohara entered the 2018 Spring Training as one of the favorites to make the Braves starting five. Heck, many were putting the big 6’3″ 210-pounder (though I think he’s bigger than this) as third in line in the Braves rotation. This won’t happen at the beginning of the season because of this damn groin injury, but the Braves can shake things around in the rotation during the season.
In 2017, he made five starts in Atlanta and held a 4.91 ERA with 31 strikeouts and eight walks. He showed great promise in these starts. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he’s has.
Next: All this Acuna Controversy?
If you’re into that fantasy baseball game thingy, Gohara could be a sleeper pick late in the draft or as a first month pick up. The dude is a strikeout king and doesn’t walk that many. He has a career 2.68 SO/W ratio with 375 strikeouts to 140 walks in his five years in the minors.