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Atlanta Braves News
Max Fried out duels Stephen Strasburg in 4-2 Braves win
Max Fried allowed one hit and struck out nine while Ronald Acuña Jr. homered to help the Atlanta Braves to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals. With the win, Atlanta increases its lead in the NL East to eight full games.
The Braves continue to add reinforcements to their roster. Atlanta recalled outfielder Adam Duvall from Gwinnett and activated reliever Darren O’Day from the disabled list prior to Thursday’s series opener against the Nationals. To make room on the 40-man roster for O’Day, Atlanta placed catcher Alex Jackson on the 60-day injured list. O’Day made four rehab appearances and this is his first appearance on the active roster since being acquired in a trade at last season’s deadline.
Max Fried Has Raised His Ceiling
At FanGraphs, Tony Wolfe takes a look at the breakout season of Atlanta left-hander Max Fried.
Braves Throwback Thursday: Ron Gant’s brilliant 1993 pennant race swan song
On this throwback Thursday, a look back at Ron Gant’s brilliant performance in 1993 which would prove to be his final season in a Braves uniform.
MLB News
Strasburg opt-out seen as increasingly likely
MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports that Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will review his options with agent Scott Boras and will consider opting out of his current deal at the end of the season. Speculation is that Strasburg may prefer pitching somewhere closer to the west coast.
Cubs place Kimbrel (elbow) on injured list
The Chicago Cubs were dealt a blow on Thursday when they announced that closer Craig Kimbrel has been placed on the injured list due to elbow inflammation. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told reporters that Kimbrel felt discomfort in his elbow on Sunday. An MRI exam revealed no structural damage but he will be shut down from throwing for a few days before attempting to ramp his activity before the end of the regular season.
Dayton Moore To Receive Extension Under New Royals Ownership, per report
The Kansas City Royals are about to have a new owner but it appears that the head of their baseball operations will remain intact. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that GM Dayton Moore is expected to “receive a long extension” once new ownership takes control of the franchise.
MLB Pipeline names Pitcher, Hitter of the Year
MLB Pipeline named its Pitcher and Hitter of the Year on Thursday. San Diego left hander Mackenzie Gore took home the pitching honor he posted a 1.69 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 101 innings.
White Sox outfield prospect Luis Robert was named Hitter of the Year after advancing through three levels of the minors while hitting .328/.376/.624 with 32 home runs and 36 stolen bases.