The Braves announced this morning they’ve activated Huascar Ynoa from the 60-day injured list. He’ll start this evening’s game against the Marlins. Reliever Jacob Webb was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett last night to create an active roster spot. Atlanta already had a vacancy on the 40-man roster to accommodate Ynoa’s reinstatement.
Ynoa struggled over his limited big league time between 2019-20, but he looked to be amidst a breakout campaign earlier this season. Over nine appearances (eight starts), Ynoa tossed 44 2/3 innings of 3.02 ERA ball. The right-hander backed that up with a strong 27.9% strikeout rate, a lofty 13.3% swinging strike rate and a lower than average 6.1% walk percentage. The 23-year-old benefitted from an elevated strand rate and a low opponents’ batting average on balls in play — meaning he wasn’t likely to sustain an ERA at or below 3.00 — but he looked like a good bet for continued mid-rotation production.
However, Ynoa was tagged for five runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Brewers on May 16, his second-worst outing of the season. He punched the dugout in frustration after coming out of that game and fractured his throwing hand. That wound up requiring a three-month stay on the injured list.
It’s surely a decision Ynoa wishes he could have back, but he’s making his return at an opportune time. The Braves have been on a tear of late, winning eleven of fourteen this month. After hovering at or just below .500 for the entire season, Atlanta’s gone on their best run of the year to jump to the top of the National League East at 63-56. The Braves lead the Phillies by a game and a half and hold a three and a half game advantage over the Mets.
