Aaron Blair to Miss Rest of Season Following Shoulder Surgery
Following surgery to repair a capsule tear in his pitching shoulder, Atlanta Braves starter Aaron Blair has been shut down for the season. Blair, a former top prospect, has struggled during his time in the major leagues and suffered the injury while making his season debut at Triple-A. In 16 major league starts, Blair has pitched to a 2-8 record with a 7.89 ERA and a 49/39 K/BB ratio. Blair's injury takes him out of the 2018 season and could perhaps take him out of the Braves organization altogether.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair, who was pitching in Triple-A Gwinnett, was put on the disabled list there due to a shoulder injury. He's going to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday. That usually tends to not bode well for a fast recovery, and the words "Tommy John" are often bandied around. We'll have to see. Blair is well off the fantasy radar for the time being.
Aaron Blair Ready To Pitch For First Time On Wednesday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair is going to toe the rubber for the first time this Spring. Blair, who is a dark-horse candidate to make the team in the No. 5 spot, has been the victim of a glut of pitchers in camp. He hasn't had much success the past two years, but apparently he shed a lot of weight and that might help the 25-year-old's quest to stick around.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair lost 40 pounds since last spring, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Blair tore a lat muscle in his last Triple-A start last season, prompting him to work out smarter this winter. According to O'Brien, Blair is feeling great this spring, moving better and throwing more easily. Blair has made it up to the majors in each of the last two seasons, but he is 2-8 with a 7.89 ERA in 16 MLB starts (73 innings pitched). He is not likely to break camp with the big league team and is looking to improve on his 7-9 record and 5.02 ERA with Triple-A Gwinnett last season. Blair was 13-5 with a 2.92 ERA between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno in 2015 (Arizona system), so there is a lot of upside possible with the 25-year-old.
Lucas Sims Likely To Be Promoted After Aaron Blair's Poor Start
Major League struggles continued for Aaron Blair in his season debut for the Braves. Only recording nine outs, Blair surrendered five runs on five hits and five walks against the Diamondbacks. Striking out only three batters, the concern of elevated contact was confirmed in the loss. Lucas Sims has been seen as a favorite option following production with Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta admitted a focus on the future by trading Jaime Garcia, and now a number of young arms may see their first big league opportunity.
Atlanta will fill Jaime Garcia's Wednesday rotation spot with young arm Aaron Blair. This will mark Blair's season debut at the top level after a disappointing stint last year. Appearing in 15 games during 2016, teams found regular success in elevating his misplaced pitches. Those struggles have persisted into the minors this system. As a result, Lucas Sims is the more likely long-term option. Sims, a former first round pick, has always given up strong contact, but makes up for it with a career 9.16 K/9.
