The Braves will be without both of their leading 2 catchers for todays opener, supervisor Brian Snitker revealed to reporters (Twitter link by means of David OBrien of The Athletic). Both Travis dArnaud and Tyler Flowers are displaying symptoms of Covid-19, and while both have actually checked unfavorable, theyre back in Atlanta instead of with the club in New York. Alex Jackson, who was on the groups taxi team, will get the beginning nod behind the plate. Catcher William Contreras, also on the 40-man lineup and in the 60-man player swimming pool, will likely be brought up as the backup.
Contreras, the younger bro of Cubs star Willson Contreras, has actually never ever appeared in a Triple-A video game– let alone in the big leagues. Hes a well-regarded capturing possibility, but his.255/.315/.354 output at the plate in between Class-A Advanced and Double-A in 2019 was a significant step back from 2018s.285/.347/.436.
Both dArnaud and Flowers will technically be put on the Covid-19 IL as a method of helping with the promo of Jackson and Contreras. Unlike other injured lists, nevertheless, theres no minimum stay on the Covid-19 IL. It remains to be seen just when dArnaud and Flowers will be cleared to return, though the hope is that both catchers signs will be abate in brief order.
Jackson will be suddenly thrust into a starting role for at least today– the timeline for dArnaud and Flowers to return cant be understood just yet– in spite of having just 4 MLB video games under his belt. His defense, too, has been a continuous concern that has actually resulted in Jackson at times getting looks in the corner outfield.
