Some news surfaced today from the Atlanta Braves camp that Kyle Wright might be a touch behind schedule this spring as he is dealing with the after effects of some issues with his shoulder.
Kyle Wright won’t be ready for the start of the exhibition season. But his shoulder feels great after a recent cortisone injection and it looks like he will still make his season debut during one of the Braves’ first two series. https://t.co/Qh1nkRFioT
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 20, 2023
The good news is that Wright is already feeling better than it has in the last three years. The issue was when he tried to get revamped in January, he could not "get over that hump." Which halted his ability to getting stretched out. This led to his preparations being shut down for a cortisone shot.
While there appears to be no concerns long-term, it will prevent Wright from getting in any early work during the Grapefruit League. The Braves have mapped out a plan for the pitcher to get in his work and hopefully make three starts during Spring Training. Hopefully, that will lead to him building up to 60 pitches, which would allow him to potentially go 75-80 during his first start of the regular season.
This also means he might not get a start during the opening series with the Washington Nationals. Instead, a start during a road stop in St Louis looks more likely for Wright to make his season debut. While that may be up in the air, the good news, at least for now, is it looks like Wright will avoid the Injured List to begin the year.
In Bowman's article, he asked Wright how he felt in which he said, "I feel whole, healthy and fresh again for the first time since about 2020. It’s nice. You forget what it’s supposed to feel like because you’re just kind of used to it. So far, I feel great. I’m excited about hopefully keeping the same feeling my whole career.”
Wright of course figures to play a major role in the rotation in 2023 and beyond. After struggling for parts of four years, he finally broke out in 2022. While pitching wins do not hold as much value as they used to, it is still a mighty accomplishment to win 20 games. Wright won 21 and was the only starter to eclipse 20 during the 2022 season.
Over 180.1 innings, he totaled a 3.19 ERA, 3.89 xERA, 3.58 FIP, 3.30 xFIP, & 3.48 SIERA. It all culminated with Wright going toe to toe with Zack Wheeler during game 2 of the NLDS, pitching 6 scoreless innings.
Thankfully, the shoulder appears to be fine long term. This is more of a precautionary measure by the Braves and Wright will not be the only pitcher throughout the league that will need extra time getting ready. Hopefully, we get to see Wright back to his 2022 self and taking the mound every 5th day for our Braves.