Phillies-Braves preview
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves will be pleased to see Julio Teheran taking the mound on Saturday night.
After the team's No. 1 starter had to leave his most recent start after four innings, it was feared the right-hander might be headed to the disabled list.
But the tight muscle in his back that shortened his last appearance turned out to be less serious than believed and Teheran returns to the rotation against the Phillies when the Braves try to win for the fourth time in five games.
Saturday's game features Teheran (3-8, 2.71) against Philadelphia right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (7-7 3.65), who has been the subject of trade rumors over the last few weeks.
Teheran's last start was on July 22 at Colorado when he left after throwing four shutout innings. Teheran tweaked his back muscle and was planning to play through the injury, but shortstop Erick Aybar approached his teammate and encouraged him to call the trainer to the mound.
At first the team feared the injury was serious enough to send Teheran to the DL. Instead the team was able to give Teheran a couple of extra days off without losing him for two weeks.
"He felt a little better (Tuesday), just flat-ground throwing a little bit, more confident in turning everything loose, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "I think it's a good idea to take advantage of it.
The timing may be good, as Teheran has pitched well in his career against the Phillies. He is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season and is 6-3 with a 2.29 in 12 career appearances against Philadelphia.
Hellickson has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts. He threw six shutout innings, giving up only one hit, in receiving a no-decision the Miami Marlins on July 25. The Phillies, who acquired him during the offseason from the Arizona Diamondbacks, have fielded plenty of calls from other teams who are looking for a pitcher before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. But Phillies are reportedly demanding top prospects in return.
"I guess I'm anxious just to get it over with, Hellickson said. "My focus is here and on my next start.
Hellickson has made one career start against Atlanta and it occurred this season. He received a no-decision on July 7 after allowing two runs in six innings.
Hellickson will be pitching after Vince Velasquez allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Velasquez's name has been mentioned in trade rumors along with Hellickson's
The Braves haven't announced who their starter will be for Sunday afternoon. They recalled right-hander Ryan Weber and could use him or dip into Triple-A Gwinnett for another player, possibly Aaron Blair or Casey Kelly. Another option is Joel De La Cruz, who has made two starts for the Braves, but has worked out of the bullpen since early July.
"We're not 100 percent sure yet," Snitker said. "We'll keep grinding away and something will rear its head and be the right thing to do."
The Braves did enough things right to snap a five-game losing streak to the Phillies with Friday's 2-1 win. Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 and Tyrell Jenkins allowed an unearned run in six innings for his major league victory.
