Braves prospect could keep Atlanta out of starter trade market

The Braves pitching staff likely needs some help with a slew of injuries thinning the ranks but rookie Jared Shuster could be the answer over a trade.

The injury bug has hit the Braves in full force with starters Max Fried and Kyle Wright heading for the injury list in the last few weeks along with reliever Dylan Lee on Friday. That’s with Huascar Ynoa and Tyler MAtzek already out for the season.

Atlanta may need to get active in the trade market to add another arm to the rotation. Then again, they may already have an arm ready to roll.

On Sunday, rookie pitcer Jared Shuster produced his most promising performance in the majors, going six innings with one hit and one run allowed. He produced a career-high seven strikeouts.

Shuster could prove to be the fifth arm the Braves need this season. That’d certainly be the case if he can produce a few more starts that look like Sunday’s.

In his first three starts, Shuster was 0-2 with an ERA of 7.24. However, his most two recent starts have shown real promise. In a 7-4 loss for the Braves on May 16, he went five innings giving up three hits and three runs.

Atlanta topped the Mariner’s 3-2 as Shuster ralled from giving up a second-inning home run to Jarred Kelenic. He left the game after the sixth inning with a 3-1 lead. Despite a Jose Caballero home run in the top of the eighth, the Braves bullpen held on for the win.

Matt Olson provided the young pitcher some early run support with a double to score Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first. Then Eddie Rosario’s RBI single put the Braves up 2-1 in the third. Travis d’Arnaud’s insurance run off a home run in the sixth proved critical.

The Braves could forgo the MLB trade market in favor of leaning on their younger arms. Along with Shuster, Atlanta has seen promising performances from the likes of AJ Smith-Shawver in Triple-A.

Fried and Wright could return on either side of the All-Star Break. The Braves have decisions to make until then.