The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teheran most likely to start opening day
Barring unexpected setback, All-Star is ‘logical choice.’
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — In what should come as a surprise to no one, the Braves plan to name AllStar Julio Teheran their opening day starter for the second consecutive season.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez probably won’t announce it for several weeks, but he made clear Sunday which way he was leaning.
“Yeah, I think so,” Gonzalez said. “But I don’t even want to go there, because there’s so much stuff that could happen. ... But you know what? He was our best pitcher last year, made the All-Star team last year and everything being perfect — no injuries, no setbacks, no blisters that could develop, you’ve still got to go out and get five starts (this spring), so a lot of things could happen — but yeah, I think he’d be the most logical choice.
“But I’m not ready to do that right now on Day 2 of spring training.”
Teheran raised his performance in 2014, finishing 14-13 with a 2.89 ERA and team-highs of 186 strikeouts and 221 innings. He was sixth among National League starters in opponents’ average (.232) and fifth in oppo- nents’ on-base percentage (.279), a few spots ahead of the Giants ace Madison Bumgarner (.281).
Minor encouraged: The second day of workouts for pitchers and catchers brought a most encouraging sight for Gonzalez: Mike Minor throwing off the mound and looking sharp.
A year ago, Minor was unable to throw in Janu- ary due to Dec. 31 urinary tract surgery and then developed shoulder tendinitis in the first week of camp after ramping up his activities too quickly. He began the season on the 15-day disabled list and the shoulder flared up periodically during a career-worst season.
“Man, oh man, he threw a side (session) today. Midseason form, he really was,” Gonzalez said. “He’s strong, he looks good, his arm is working great. ... He was a highlight for me today.”
By midseason form, Gonzalez meant the Minor of 2013, when he went 139 with career-best totals in wins, ERA (3.21), strikeouts (181) and innings (204⅔). He was arguably the Braves’ best pitcher that season and got the decision in their only win during a four-game NL Division Series loss to the Dodgers.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be that (good again this year),” Gonzalez said.
Flores delayed: Catcher Jesus Flores, who signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to major league spring training, is still in his native Venezuela due to a visa issue, but the Braves say he could be at spring training within the week. A 30-year-old former Nationals catcher, Flores last played in the majors in 2012. He didn’t sign with the Braves until Jan. 30.