Maximizing the Braves' No. 5 starter options for 2014

Published Feb. 27, 2014 11:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

With free-agent signee Gavin Floyd (elbow) not expected to join the Braves until mid-to-late May, rookie David Hale and second-year pitcher Alex Wood have an early window to claim the No. 5 starter's job for two months -- if not longer.

But are things that simple for a club which sustained a rash of injuries last season?

Given Floyd's injury rehab, Wood's potential innings cap (whispers of 160), emergency asset Freddy Garcia's age (37) and Hale's relative inexperience in the bigs (11 innings), this might be the ideal year for the Braves to strategically platoon the No. 5 starter for six full months -- without skipping a beat, production-wise.