Braves News: Kolby Allard will start season on injured list

A key piece of pitching depth for the Atlanta Braves will be beginning the 2023 season on the shelf, as Kolby Allard suffered a grade 2 oblique strain and will open the year on the injured list.

A former first-round pick for Atlanta back in 2015, Allard was a top-100 prospect as he worked his way through the Braves farm system, before making his major league debut in July of 2018. One year later, Allard was dealt to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Chris Martin, who became a key piece of the Braves post-season runs over the next couple of years.

In four seasons with Texas, Allard posted a 5.85 ERA in 34 starts. After his ERA ballooned to above 7.00 in 2022, he would spend most of the second half at AAA Round Rock, where he made 20 starts and struck out 113 batters in just under 90 innings.

Allard would be sent back to Atlanta in a November 2022 trade that saw the Braves send Jake Odorizzi and cash back to the Rangers.

Allard has made two appearances this spring for the Braves, starting Atlanta's Spring Training opening tie with Boston. He threw two innings, allowing three hits, and one earned run. He got his second start five days later against the Mets, throwing three scoreless innings and allowing just one hit to pick up his first win of the Spring.

While not mentioned in the conversation for the fifth starter role, Allard was expected to provide some rotational depth for Atlanta this year, and likely was heading for AAA Gwinnett if healthy. If his solid start to the Spring is any indication, the 25-year old could find himself as a part of the Braves bullpen at some point this year if he can maintain some success in Gwinnett.

Allard is under team control through the 2026 season.