Braves will send David Hale to the bullpen
By Matt Fisher
A player who is a surprise role player out of Spring Training presents a good and bad situation. It’s a good situation because they’re filling a role admirably that you didn’t expect them to, but the downside is that you have to find somewhere to put them once the everyday guy gets back.
David Hale wasn’t supposed to be in the Atlanta Braves rotation, but with the injuries to Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, and Mike Minor, he was able to contribute to his team’s success. Now, with Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang performing well beyond expectations and Mike Minor on his way back to the club, Hale will find himself in the bullpen instead of the rotation. Fredi Gonzalez told MLB Network Radio that the move will happen when Minor is reinstated from the disabled list.
Hale has been outstanding over his four starts in 2014, going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA over 23.1 innings. Now, Mike Minor is scheduled to make his 2014 season debut on Friday against San Francisco. Minor has been sidelined since the beginning of the season with shoulder soreness and has pitched in five rehab games.