Following a wild first month and a half of the season, the Braves most competent starting pitcher is out for the foreseeable future. With All-Star Mike Soroka not due to be back until after the All-Star break, the Braves looked to rely on Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly and Max Fried. All three have had an injury-riddled start to the season and were rocky when on the mound. The saving grace for the reigning NL East Champions, at 19-21 on the campaign, has been Huascar Ynoa.

On the mound, Ynoa has been excellent. He’s pitched to a dazzling 3.02 ERA, 1.8 WAR and 50 Ks over 44 and two thirds innings of work. He’s certainly been the Braves best pitcher, but he’s also been one of the best hitters at the plate. In 17 plate appearances, Ynoa has hit to a .353/.353/.765 slashline with two homeruns, including a grand slam. He was the first Braves pitcher to record a grand slam since Jaime Garcia, who he was traded for.

Ynoa has been a big piece in every facet of the game so far this season for the Braves, but after a shaky outing yesterday against the Brewers, he punched the dugout with his pitching hand. Huascar seems like he may have needed Kevin Costner, because Crash Davis would tell you never to punch with your pitching hand.

In the mean time, the Braves have recalled Tucker Davidson from Gwinnett. Davidson will get the start tomorrow, giving the other pitchers on the staff an extra day of rest.

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