Julio Teheran Left Off Postseason Roster, Freeman & Acuna Ready To Go Tonight
By Deke Lloyd
Julio Teheran and Austin Riley were left off the postseason roster for the NLDS. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman are ready to go tonight. Braves start postseason play tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brian Snitker made the news official for Julio Teheran and Austin Riley yesterday when he announced they both would be left off the postseason roster for the NLDS. Instead of carrying Teheran, Snitker opted for a left-handed batter off the bench in Rafael Ortega leaving no room for Teheran on the roster. Riley’s absence makes more sense with his struggles down the stretch of the season.
Tomlin will be on the NLDS roster. Teheran will not. The Braves will instead go with a 6-man bench.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 2, 2019
Hearing the news of not making the postseason roster, for the second year in a row, has to be brutal for Julio Teheran. This season has been very up and down for Teheran, who had a wonderful month of May and August, but struggled more in August and September. It still has to come as a shock for Julio not to make this team when he looked like a lock for the postseason rotation at different points of the season. After being with the Braves since 2011, Teheran’s time could be coming to an end sooner than later.
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman, reportedly, took place in a simulated game where neither were limited at all. Both are said to be back at 100% and ready to go for tonight’s game with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Snitker said Acuna and Freeman were not limited in any way during the simulated game conducted during yesterday’s workout.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 2, 2019
The news about Acuna and Freeman is big news for the Braves. Getting back their two most important offensive players, both healthy, going into the playoffs is what all Braves fans have been waiting to hear. This Braves lineup looked drastically different without their two superstars at the top of the lineup.
A player who won’t be healed in time for the postseason is Ender Inciarte. He’s still dealing with a quad issue that will be keep him out for the remainder of the postseason. Missing Inicarte’s glove will be a big loss for the Braves in the outfield considering how important defense can be when the playoffs are going.
The Braves will start their playoff run tonight at 5:02 p.m. with the St. Louis Cardinals. Dallas Keuchel will be facing off with Miles Mikolas in Game 1.