Kyle Wright officially goes on IL; Dylan Dodd recalled to replace him in the rotation
As expected, the Atlanta Braves have formally placed RHP Kyle Wright on the 15-day IL with "right shoulder inflammation"
In a corresponding move, LHP Dylan Dodd was called up and will start this afternoon's series finale in Miami.
Wright had a slow start to spring training after getting a cortisone injection in January for a sore right shoulder. Starting the season on the disabled list, he made some minor league rehab starts before being activated and entered last night's game with a 4.86 ERA after four starts, pitching only 16.2 innings on the season with seventeen strikeouts to an uncharacteristic nine walks. After last night, he's sitting on a 5.79 ERA in 18.2 innings with twenty strikeouts to ten walks.
Wright's fastball, which opened the game at 95 MPH, was noticeably slower in the 3rd inning, coming in as low as 92 before settling around 93 to the final batter. After Jesus Sanchez got the third consecutive hit to open the 3rd, Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz brought the trainer out with him for a mound visit and after a long discussion with Wright, Kranitz, and manager Brian Snitker, Wright left the game. He was replaced by Collin McHugh.
“It's kind of more in the back,” Wright said after the game, discussing the injury. “I felt really good in the first inning, and really -- when I went back out for the second inning, I didn't feel so great but obviously felt good enough to keep going. And when I got to the third and [Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz] came out, it didn't feel good enough to keep going. At that point, I wasn’t being smart. So I give Kranny a lot of credit for protecting me from myself."
Dylan Dodd, tonight's starter, was called up in the opening week of the season after Max Fried went on the IL for a hamstring strain suffered on Opening Day in Washington. Dodd started two games for Atlanta, a 4-1 win in St. Louis where he pitched five innings with six hits, one run, and three strikeouts with no walks, followed by a clunker against the Padres at home where he was tagged for ten hits and seven runs in 4.1 innings before being sent back down to Gwinnett.
Dodd's first two starts in Gwinnett were great, going 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings combined against Memphis (St. Louis affiliate) and Omaha (Royals affiliate) with twelve strikeouts. He then stumbled in his last start against Buffalo (Blue Jays affiliate) on April 28th, taking the loss after three innings with six hits, six runs, and one walk to four strikeouts. He was lined up to start today for Gwinnett, but has flown to Miami and will pitch for the big league club instead.
More Stories from the Marlins series
Takeaways: The Braves bats were electric helping secure the series win over the Marlins
BREAKING: Michael Harris leaves Marlins game with leg injury
BREAKING: Kyle Wright leaves Miami start in the 3rd inning; will go on IL
WATCH: Long homers from Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley extend the Braves lead
WATCH: The Braves erupt for a seven-run second inning against the Marlins
Takeaways: Elder keys Atlanta to 6-0 series-opening win at Miami
WATCH: Eddie Rosario knocks in Matt Olson for the second time tonight, pushes Braves lead to 3-0
WATCH: Ozzie Albies takes Sandy Alcantara deep to give Braves early lead at Miami
Podcast: Is Ronald Acuña okay?
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