Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
After he gave was spotted a four run lead during Saturday’s Atlanta Braves game with the Chicago White Sox, Paul Maholm went out and surrendered seven runs before exiting with a wrist injury. While that might not be a terrible feat for some pitchers, it just might end up costing Maholm his starting rotation spot with the Braves. That is purely speculation on my part but there is a little evidence to back it up.
For starters, no pun intended, the Braves recently sent young reliever Alex Wood down to the minors to be stretched out. He has been a starter for the majority of his career until he was called up for bullpen help. Now it appears the Braves are getting him ready for a starting rotation job where there actually isn’t one. That is a little clue to a move on the horizon.
Also Brandon Beachey has looked great and felt great during his rehab assignments this time around and might be only a couple of weeks away from a return to the rotation. That could lead the Braves to have seven potential starters for five spots. Maholm’s struggling start coupled with the possible injury could give the Braves all the reason they need to insert Wood soon. Of course that also means there would need to be another move to free up space for Beachey.
There have been very few rumors about the Braves doing something with their starting staff. The circumstantial evidence is beginning to mount however and it looks like something, or possibly two ‘somethings’ could be in the works. Maholm is just making any move easier.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google Plus.
