Report: Rodriguez earns No. 4 slot in Braves rotation, may start home opener
ATLANTA -- Wandy Rodriguez, an offseason pickup via free agency, has essentially sewn up the No. 4 spot in the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation, according to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
With that knowledge, it's now fair to wonder if the southpaw Rodriguez -- who has a 2-0 record, 0.69 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in four spring appearances -- will start the Braves' home opener against the New York Mets on April 10.
With Mike Minor on the shelf with a shoulder ailment, the Braves needed a veteran pitcher or promising rookie to step up during spring action, as complements to the Big Three cluster of Julio Teheran (14-13, 2.89 ERA, 186 strikeouts last year), Alex Wood (11-11, 2.78 ERA, 170 Ks) and Shelby Miller (25 victories with the St. Louis Cardinals for 2013-14).
All three pitchers are 24 years old and serve as the foundation of the Braves' rotation for at least another five years.
With Rodriguez (five-year average of 11 wins, a 3.48 ERA and 161 Ks from 2008-12) locking up the fourth slot, the competition for Atlanta's No. 5 spot seemingly involves veteran Eric Stults (2.57 ERA this spring), Cody Martin (hasn't allowed a run in three spring outings) and Mike Foltynewicz -- a principal gem in the Evan Gattis/Houston Astros trade over the winter.
The Braves open the season with a three-game road set against the Miami Marlins from April 6-8.
