ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves open the regular season Friday against the Kansas City Royals, and they’ll do so without several players to open the campaign.
The Braves recently lost right-hander Spencer Strider to an oblique injury, forcing the team to play gymnastics with their rotation and number of pitchers on the opening day roster, especially with a 13-game stretch to open the season.
RELATED: Braves finalize 26-man roster ahead of season opener vs. Royals
With Strider’s injury, the Braves will roll out a rotation including Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder and one other, who is still yet to be decided, manager Walt Weiss told reporters on Thursday. Right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are also on the injured list with elbow issues, further thinning the team’s starting depth.
Without a clear fifth starter in place, the Braves chose to include right-hander Osvaldo Bido and left-hander José Suárez on the Opening Day roster. The club is also considering Martín Pérez, who’s not on the 26-man roster, as a candidate to start Tuesday’s game at Truist Park against the Athletics.
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Here’s the full injury report for this weekend’s series:
Braves:
- RHP Daysbel Hernández (shoulder)
- RHP Joe Jimenez (knee)
- SS Ha-Seong Kim (finger)
- C Sean Murphy (hip)
- RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)
- RHP Spencer Strider (oblique)
- RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow)
- RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow)
- LHP Joey Wentz (knee)
- LHP Danny Young (elbow)
Royals:
- RHP Stephen Kolek (oblique)
- RHP Alec Marsh (shoulder)
- 2B Michael Massey (calf)
- RHP James McArthur (elbow)
First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. ET on Friday.
How to watch Braves on Gray
The Braves and Gray Media announced two broadcast offerings so far, including Opening Day, to fans across Braves Country through Braves on Gray local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.
For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.
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