Gohara working his way back to the rotation
The 21-year-old Brazilian is recovering from a spring training injury.
ATLANTA — Last Monday was a good day for Atlanta Braves pitcher Luiz Gohara. It was one of the few days of good news over the last few weeks for the 21 year old.
“He threw a sim game, two innings, kind of a like a live batting practice where he got up and down,” Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Everything’s good. He’s done the defensive work and the (pitcher’s fielding practice). Everything is a go.
“It’s just a matter of getting back to normal. He missed spring training, pretty much, so he’s just got to go through the spring training regimen. The ankle’s good. He’s doing all the stuff. Everything is pointing to his normal progression now.”
Gohara started spring training late due to a groin injury. He recovered from that and seemed ready to make the club as the fifth starter. He likely would have made his debut last Tuesday at Washington.
Gohara, however, sprained his ankle doing pitcher’s fielding practice. He stepped to cover first base and, a moment later, he was injured again.
“It’s tough to see that happen,” Snitker said. “He’s a really good pitcher and a good kid. He was itching to get going and had two setbacks. He basically didn’t have a spring, so we’ll take it slow.”
After coming up from Triple-A Gwinnett last Sept. 5, Gohara had a 1-3 record
in five starts with a 4.91 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
“He has a lot of ability,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “He has a great fastball, and that slider is filthy. I like him a lot.”
Gohara, the fifth major leaguer to come from Brazil, took some time to answer some questions:
Favorite youth sports memory: I started playing sports at 5 years old in a small town in Brazil. My dad would take me out to play. I was in an academy by 13. It was tough living on my own at such a young age, but I made it.
Then, when I was 15, I was discovered by the Seattle Mariners in a tournament. I was pitching pretty good. The Mariners came up to me in the middle of the game and said they were signing me. Favorite cheat meal: I love Chick-fil-A. How did the slider become your out pitch: I love the slider. I always felt good throwing it. I love seeing how the hitters react to it.
Best major league experience: My first win. It was amazing. The call-up was special, but getting that win was amazing. My teammates were hugging me and pouring water on me. It was great.
When was the first time you saw Ronald Acuna: It didn’t take me long to figure out that he was special. We were in high-A together. He hit this monster home run in the opening game. He is from another planet.
Your goals for the season: I want to stay healthy and stay in the rotation. If I do that, everything else will come.
About the CC Sabathia comparisons: It’s pretty cool. I make jokes sometimes about him being my dad. I look up to him so much. It means a lot to me that people think I can be close to what he was.
What does being a Brave mean to you: It means a lot. They traded for me, so it tells me they believe in me. I’m thankful for that. I want to do right by the chance they’ve given me.