ATLANTA - Max Fried, who capped his 2021 on the diamond as the starting pitcher in the Atlanta Braves' decisive Game 6 World Series win over the Houston Astros in Texas, is set to start on opening day.
The Braves announced Wednesday that Fried will start against the visiting Cincinnati Reds in next Thursday's opener for both teams at Truist Park. It will be the 28-year-old left-hander's second consecutive opening day start.
Fried pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, in Atlanta's 7-0 win over the Astros to clinch their first World Series title since 1995. Fried was 14-7 with a 3.04 ERA and two shutouts during the 2021 regular season.
Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson are established atop the rotation, and Atlanta manager Brian Snitker was expected to choose between Fried and Morton to start the opening game of this season. Morton, 38, was 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA in the 2021 regular season. He sustained a broken leg while starting the World Series opener but has made a full recovery.
Snitker has not announced who will follow Morton and Anderson in the rotation. Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa have been described by general manager Alex Anthopoulos as the leaders of a competition that also includes Kyle Muller, Tucker Davidson and rookie Spencer Strider.
The Braves are expected to use a six-man rotation as they open the season by playing 14 consecutive days before their first off day, which is the result of MLB's lockout that delayed spring training and the start of the regular season as originally scheduled. They are then expected to return to a five-man rotation.
Roster taking shape
VENICE, Fla. - Ten-year veteran Brock Holt ended his bid to win a bench spot with the Braves when he requested and was granted his release Thursday.
Holt, 33, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta and was invited to the major league camp. He was competing with versatile veteran Phil Gosselin and Pat Valaika for a utility position.
The Braves also optioned left-handed pitcher Dylan Lee - who last fall made a surprise start in Game 4 of the World Series, a 3-2 comeback win - and outfielder Travis Demeritte to Triple-A Gwinnett. Lee, 27, made history as the first pitcher to make his first MLB start in the World Series.
Holt hit .209 with two home runs and 23 RBIs in 76 games with the Texas Rangers in 2021. He made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 before playing seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
Holt played every infield and outfield position with the Red Sox but was primarily a third baseman with the Rangers. He has a .262 career batting average in 10 seasons.