Braves Sticking With Suarez or Pérez for Rotation Plans (For Now)

The Atlanta Braves intend to stay the course with their current rotation plans for now. Manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Athletics that Jose Suarez and Martín Pérez would be the two options for the rotation when determining Sunday’s starter against Arizona.

He does not anticipate that either will be removed from the roster soon to give the team another option in the bullpen.

“I mean, I guess there’s a third scenario that could always show up, but as we sit here today, that’s the most likely option,” he said.

The plan for that spot through the rotation is still very situational. Weiss wants to see how the Braves utilize the pitching staff between now and when Sunday rolls around.

Suarez was decided on as the starter the night before, with Pérez remaining an option in the bullpen. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.

“He had a tough second,” Weiss said. “Got a couple outs and then the command got away from him. Other than that, the second inning, I thought it was pretty good. You know, kept us in it.”

Pérez was efficient once he got into action. He pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings to finish up the game, allowing two hits while striking out three. He ensured that only three pitchers were necessary in a losing effort. Joel Payamps allowed a run in an inning of work as well.

“I mean, that was a game-saver, really,” Weiss said. “If there is such a thing in a loss, but the fact that we didn’t have to use anybody down there. Again, we’ve talked about this 13-game stretch. What [Didier Fuentes] did the other day. What Martín did tonight were huge for us.”

The complicated situation that remains is that Pérez, while he pitched well, isn’t any more stretched out than he was before he made it into the game. His efficiency meant that he threw just 47 pitches, far from a starter’s workload. Suarez’s short night meant he was limited to 66 pitches.

Whoever ends up going for them first on Sunday will likely have to be followed up by the other if they want to give the bullpen a break. Should they swap the roles and opt for Pérez to start, it would seem logical that they try to get five innings from him and then turn it over to Pérez or someone else in the bullpen.

Weiss pointed to Osvaldo Bido as an option who can go multiple innings for them. He struck out the side in his lone inning of work so far this season. In theory, they could recall Didier Fuentes or add JR Ritchie to the roster. However, they seem committed to having them work or being starters for now in Triple-A.

The Braves look to take the series against the A’s on Wednesday during a getaway game to wrap up the homestand. Chris Sale is on the mound for a 12:15 p.m. first pitch.