LOS ANGELES -- The Atlanta Braves' pitching puzzle in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series was further complicated by the news that righty Huascar Ynoa would not be available due to tightness in his right shoulder.
The announcement was made by Atlanta as Brian Snitker, manager of the Braves, sat down to give his pre-game news conference. Ynoa was originally scheduled to start the Braves' bullpen game against Los Angeles Dodgers. Right-hander Jesse Chavez will replace him in this role.
Snitker stated that although he felt some discomfort yesterday, he was still able to say, "I should be good." "[Today] he arrived early, received treatment, and went out to play a little catch. It was very tight. It's like we aren't going to take a chance."
Ynoa was 23 years old and went 4-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 18 innings during the regular season. He also had 17 starts. After being one of the most popular pitchers in baseball, Ynoa was forced to miss three months due to a fractured right thumb.
However, Ynoa was unable to finish the game and had only been used sparingly during the postseason. During Atlanta's NL Division Series victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, he threw 1 inning and allowed 2 runs. Wednesday would have been his first appearance in the NLCS.
The Braves announced that they have been approved by MLB to replace Ynoa with Dylan Lee on their postseason roster. Dylan Lee is a left-hander who was listed on the Braves roster for the NLDS, but didn't make an appearance.
Chavez, 38 is a veteran of 14 years who has played for nine major league clubs. In the postseason, he has made four scoreless appearances in Atlanta, including Tuesday's Game 3 inning. He has never been a starter in a postseason game. In Game 4, he will be used more as an opener than a traditional starter.
Snikter stated, "We'll just let Jesse get it off of the ground like he did before." "It could be five or six hitters, depending on what it is."
After a late Los Angeles comeback in game 3, the Braves led the Dodgers by 2-1. This tightened the series.
Los Angeles will begin Game 4, which will feature Julio Urias, a 20-game winner lefty.
