Already, the Atlanta Braves are facing incredibly tough decisions about the team's rotation and how to make room for their current wealth of options. Grant Holmes made things just a bit easier on Friday night with his third straight underwhelming outing. While Holmes might have pulled things together in the later innings, there is no erasing the six runs given up and the ugly outings that have now been strung together, giving Atlanta a clear debate.
It is safe to say that Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, and JR Ritchie are locked into their current spots in the Atlanta rotation. This leaves Martin Perez and Holmes battling for the last remaining spot. Two weeks ago, it would've appeared to be an easy choice with Perez already designated for assignment once this season and Holmes expected to have a far more consistent impact on the franchise.
However, all of this changed as Perez has offered consistent starts while Holmes has pitched 19.2 innings over his last four outings, allowing 14 runs and nine walks. It has been clear that the Braves have a better chance at winning any night that Perez is on the mound.
The southpaw has allowed only three runs in his last 19.0 innings pitched and has been far and away the better starting option for Atlanta. As crazy as the take would've been a month ago, there is now no debating the fact that Perez is the starter most deserving of keeping his spot in the rotation.
Braves Veteran Martin Perez Clearly Set to Benefit from Continued Struggles from Grant Holmes
While Holmes does have a history as a productive bullpen arm, what is so concerning right now is that most of the damage is being done in the first inning. This obviously doesn't translate well to putting Holmes in the pen and expecting consistent production. While you hope that it provides the needed reset, there will need to be a string of consistent outings before the Braves should consider putting Holmes into a meaningful spot.
Demotion seems the obvious path we are walking as Strider returns on Sunday, and the Braves will have six currently rostered starters. Perez has earned a spot in the rotation with his performance, while Holmes has been a consistent liability over the last two weeks.
As harsh as this might seem, it is the reality for a team that has a wealth of options and every reason to move away from Holmes. The starter simply isn't offering quality innings and is consistently putting pressure on the bullpen to fill far too many innings.
For Perez, it has to be a bit of a relief to see at least one Braves starter struggling, knowing that a certain demotion was otherwise coming his direction. Now, there is a true chance Perez could remain with Atlanta and be relied on in the weeks ahead as the team awaits the expected returns of Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep.
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