The last time Kyle Wright pitched out of the bullpen in the regular season was 2019. After four disastrous starts earlier in the year, the then-23-year-old rookie made three appearances out of the bullpen in September, giving up just one run while striking out four.
The last time Wright pitched out of the bullpen in the playoffs was during the 2021 World Series. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run and striking out six. Despite spending most of the season in the minors, he played a pivotal role in the closest game of a close-fought Fall Classic.
On Sunday afternoon, Wright emerged from the Braves’ bullpen once again. He threw three innings in relief of Allan Winans, giving up one run on three hits. He struck out two. It was, potentially, a preview of what’s to come in October. After the game, the 27-year-old right-hander told reporters (including Mark Bowman of MLB.com) that he could pitch out of the ’pen in the playoffs. “I’ve done it before, and I’ve pitched pretty well,” he explained. “I’m open to anything and whatever I can do to help us win.”
In 2022, Wright was one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the National League, finishing with a 3.19 ERA and a league-leading 21 wins. He took the ball in game two of the NLDS against the Phillies, throwing six scoreless frames and collecting the win in what would turn out to be the Braves’ only victory of the series. Unfortunately, his follow-up campaign has been marred by injury and ineffectiveness. Wright dealt with shoulder soreness during spring training, pushing back his season debut. Then, he pitched to a 5.79 ERA in his first five starts before his shoulder landed him back on the IL. Although he returned to the rotation in mid-September, he continued to struggle, giving up ten runs across seven innings in two starts. Simply put, he didn’t look ready to ramp back up to a starting job in time for the NLDS. Thus, his best opportunity to help his team will be in a bullpen role.
No one could accuse the Braves of making this decision lightly. Indeed, they could certainly use another healthy arm in the rotation. Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder make for a reliable top two, but things get shaky after that. Winans is holding down a spot in the rotation, but it’s hard to believe Atlanta will give the 28-year-old rookie a start in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Max Fried and Charlie Morton are both on the 15-day IL. Fried is nursing a blister, and he is expected back in time for the NLDS, but Morton is dealing with inflammation in his right index finger and won’t be ready until at least the NLCS. That means that even if Fried returns on time, the Braves will only have three starters for their first postseason matchup. If the series goes five games, they’ll need to have two of Strider, Elder, and Fried make multiple starts. That should be possible, given the off days in the schedule, but it’s still a lot to ask of the youngsters or the injury-plagued ace.
In such a case, Wright could serve a valuable multi-inning role out of the bullpen. Not only can he provide length behind the starters, thereby lightening their workload, but he could also pitch multiple innings in a potential bullpen game. Atlanta’s other long relievers have struggled lately; Michael Tonkin has a 7.07 ERA over the past month, while Collin McHugh had a 5.93 ERA in the month before he hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation.
In start 3, I believe, it will be Edler followed by Wright. It will be for the sweep and win–and it will happen.
At this stage, Wright is the wrong guy. Without Max, Atlanta will be fried.
Where you been Manny?
Braves fans should respect their Elders
Respect their dis-Spencers (for Elders of course)
Keep Winans their games
never show their Hand
Always loved Dianne Shawyer
Keep the Honkin Tonkin party going
Keep the Vines growing
And put a Minter under your pillow (& we’ll keep the light on)
Yea I can see something like that. Elder pitches through the lineup at least once, and if gets in trouble they burn up an arm to get them out of a jam…then bring in wright in a clean start to an inning. Hoping to get like 5-6 innings from them combined.
No ill will towards Atlanta, but it’s a relief to know that the Orioles are not the only playoff bound team with SP and RP issues.
Outside of Milwaukee and maybe Houston, I think everyone has pitching issues right now.
Astros pitching had t been good lately . especially at home . And they might not make the playoffs !
I believe the Braves bullpen will cost them a chance to repeat as champions. Not good when Snitker chokes down a roll of Tums immediately after handing the ball to his closer.
The Braves were not champions last year, so I am worried about their chances to repeat as well
…..and get rocked !
Man I’m jealous of the Braves ! Just think about 3 years ago if u said they’d a 100 games w out Wright and soroko this year – no one would believe. Yet here they are the best team in baseball !
TBF, 3 years ago Wright looked like a bust.
Kyle is a great pitcher, but I’m not so sure he’s up to snuff yet. He looked decent his last time out as a reliever, but ATL has a lot of go to guys in the pen. Don’t push it.
I believe the Braves are not pushing it. An example of this would be to take a 21 game winner last year and put him in the pen. Wright pitched from the pen yesterday. Yesterday was Wright’s last scheduled AAA rehab start —instead they are taking it easy and having him pitch a few innings in mlb. As a reliever, which they will do again this week. Which he will do in Elder’s start–the 3rd start of the playoffs.
daaaaaaang! just looked at Striders numbers. goodness! eye popping! (non braves fan)
everything is eye popping except the one stat that matters most, ERA
his era is just fine. every day of the week
“It was, potentially, a preview of what’s to come in October.”
This is very awkward. Why not just write “it was a potential preview of what’s to come in October” and keep the flow?