The Atlanta Braves have a clear problem determining how to manage the rotation moving forward. With the franchise expecting its arms to be healthy over the next few weeks of the season, there will be five spots for Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, Bryce Elder, and Didier Fuentes. These are eight legitimate arms that, once healthy, will be competing for time in Atlanta's rotation, leaving the franchise an incredibly difficult decision.
One that Grant Holmes perhaps has made a bit easier with what was an underwhelming start against the Miami Marlins on Monday. After three clean innings, Holmes fell apart in the fourth, giving up three runs, before being removed from the game after recording 12 outs. While there is plenty of time remaining for Holmes to change minds before the rotation is fully healthy, the last start was unquestionably a sign that demotion is possible.
It is important to note here that Holmes being demoted would mean a move to the bullpen, not sending the pitcher down to the minors. The starter has proven he is capable of helping the franchise win, whether in a starting or relief role. The experience as a reliever is part of what makes a demotion to the pen more probable for the right-hander.
Braves Will Consider Demoting Grant Holmes When Rotation Reaches Full Health
In Atlanta's current rotation, it is safe to say that only Sale should consider himself truly untouchable. Elder has been inconsistent, while Lopez and Holmes both have recent injury concerns. Of that trio, Elder is the only one without much experience as a reliever to fall back on. With this in mind, the Braves will unquestionably consider moving Holmes into the bullpen.
What stood out about Monday's failed start is how sharp the starter was in the first three innings. Holmes lost control the deeper he went into the game, and this is the type of struggle that breathes life into questions on whether Atlanta is better off moving Holmes to the pen.
Regardless of the answer, Holmes has more time to right the ship as Strider, Waldrep, and Schwellenbach are still facing an unknown timeline for their respective returns. While the expectation going into the year was a mid-to-late May return to health, no exact timeline has been offered.
For Holmes, this is a great development if the pitcher wants to stay in Atlanta's starting rotation. The pitcher already went at least 6.0 innings in his previous two starts, allowing only two earned runs in 12.2 innings. This production and Holmes still being a possible future demotion speak to the high level the Braves have to make the current rotation. It is a great problem to have and one that fans look forward to watching sort itself out over the next few weeks of the season.
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