The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MORE BRAVES INSIDE
Lefty officially named into the role ahead of Kazmir.
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Sean Newcomb to be fourth starter,
The Braves announced their season-opening starting rotation that includes Sean Newcomb in the fourth spot, ending speculation about that job.
Julio Teheran will start opening day March 29 against the Phillies at SunTrust Park, followed by Mike Foltynewicz in Game 2 and veteran newcomer Brandon McCarthy in the March 31 series finale against the Phillies.
That much — the order of the first three — was already known, though it hadn’t been made official until Monday.
What was still unclear was whether the Braves would have Newcomb start out in the fourth spot or whether, since he has minor league options remaining, the Braves might send the second-year left-hander to Triple-A for a couple of weeks until the Braves need a fifth starter for the first time April 10 in the 11th game of the season.
Such a scenario could have allowed the Braves to have veteran lefty Scott Kazmir, who can’t be sent
to the minors without his consent, start the season in the fourth spot.
But frankly, Kazmir hasn’t impressed this spring and Newcomb’s had steady and encouraging star ts. The Braves wanted to do right by him and give the team a better chance to win out of the gate with its first four starters.
Kazmir is one of several pitchers competing for the fifth spot, but unlike any of them he’s owed big money ($16 million) whether the Braves keep him or not. So they’ll surely give the former All-Star a chance to show what he can do when the klieg lights of the regular season come on, even though he’s given no cause for great expectations.
The Braves could theoret- ically have Kazmir open as a long reliever/spot starter, since other candidates for that role including former prospects Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair and Lucas Sims all have minor league options, and just-signed veteran Anibal Sanchez is on a minor league deal and can be sent to Triple-A to begin the season.
Rookie Luiz Gohara, who had been penciled in the rotation entering spring training, hasn’t pitched in a spring game due to two injuries — groin strain followed by knee sprain — and is probably not going to be ready before May.
But the fifth-starter decision is still to be determined, and on Monday manager Brian Snitker just wanted to erase any remaining ques- tions about the starting quar- tet that will open the season. Kazmir, scratched from a start Sunday after getting hit in the jaw by a misplayed baseball while playing catch, was fine Monday and pitched in a minor league game on a backfield as Teheran was pitching 6⅔ sharp innings in a 6-0 Grapefruit League win against the Blue Jays. Parking update: The Braves announced updates to parking and transportation at SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta, such as better disability parking, a second Uber location and ability to pay with credit card for the 2018 season. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Red Deck and the N29 lot will serve as ADA parking to give fans in need of the spaces closer access to the ballpark. The N29 lot also will provide a shuttle that will pick up and drop off outside the Third Base Gate at Battery Avenue.
The new Uber pickup and dropoff zone will be located at Heritage Court and Battery Avenue. Postgame traffic will be routed on Battery Avenue to Cobb Parkway. The first Uber location along Windy Ridge Parkway will still be functional and has expanded sidewalks and lighting along the street.
Seven parking decks (Red Deck, E29, E31, E35, E41, E42 and E43) will begin to accept payment by credit card on-site upon arrival and also will be available for pre-purchase up to 21/2 hours before first pitch.
Braves on TV: After a day off Tuesday, the Braves return to action tonight for another spring TV appearance.
They will face the Tigers at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Braves’ spring-training home (6:05 p.m., FSSO).
Veteran right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who will open the season in the No. 3 spot in the Braves’ rotation, is scheduled to start. McCarthy will make his third start of the spring, his first since March 5. He has pitched 6⅔ innings and has allowed one run on four hits. He has struck out four and walked one while compiling a 1.35 ERA.