Braves rumors: 3 in-house options and 1 trade to replace Max Fried

DENVER, CO - JUNE 3: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves looks on while he pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on June 3, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JUNE 3: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves looks on while he pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on June 3, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves, Raisel Iglesias
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies to end the eighth inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Braves rumors: A bullpen game is likely with Max Fried out

Am I cheating slightly? Of course I am.

Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster are struggling in Gwinnett. Still, the more likely option is that the Braves call up two of Dodd, Shuster and Soroka. The latter is the most attractive option at the moment, while Dodd and Shuster have command issues at the moment.

Assuming Fried is only out a couple of weeks, why not make a bullpen start or two to fill the gaps? Yes, Atlanta’s bullpen could use a tweak or two (expect Alex Anthopoulos to address that at the trade deadline), but it’s certainly good enough to handle nine innings of work. In the meantime, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder are reliable enough to limit bullpen work on their days.

If you include Monday, May 8, the Braves have three off days in the next two weeks, which should aid any sort of bullpen start so the pitching staff can handle that sort of workload. It’s not a perfect solution, but it may be the best option Atlanta has. When the Braves placed Fried on the injured list, they called up an extra bullpen arm in Danny Young. The 28-year-old is an ideal fit for a bullpen game. While a pure relief pitcher, he can handle multiple innings of work.

Don’t overthink this, Braves country.