Braves confident Wright ready for season

The Atlanta Braves have reason to be confident that right-hander Kyle Wright, the only pitcher to win 20 in the majors last season, still has time to prepare for the opener.

If Wright needs more time to prepare for the season, the Braves seem to have developed enough variation in their rotation.

Wright, 27, has yet to play a preseason game after receiving a cortisone injection for pain in his right shoulder in January. He said his shoulder felt good, but the Braves will closely monitor his progress after a bullpen session on Tuesday.

On Friday, Wright would pitch at batting practice. If there were no setbacks, he would have time to work on three pre-season games, including one scheduled for next week.

Wright went 21-5 with a 3.19 ERA to lead the Majors in wins in 2022, his breakout season. The right-hander added six scoreless innings as Atlanta earned its only victory in the National League Division Series, which it lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Wright is expected to join Max Fried, Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton as the top four pitchers in Atlanta’s rotation.

Meanwhile, right-hander Ian Anderson allowed an unearned run and a hit in 2 1/3 innings Sunday against the New York Yankees. Right-hander Bryce Elder pitched three scoreless innings against Houston on Friday.

Mike Soroka suffered a hamstring injury which slowed his comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon for the second time. But Anderson and Elder were joined by Kolby Allard in contention for the fifth starting job.

Two of the three could start the season in the rotation if the Braves choose to give Wright more time to increase his pitching count.

CLEVINGER SPEAKS

Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger said he feels vindicated and is focused on next season.

Clevinger spoke two days after Major League Baseball announced there would be no disciplinary action against the pitcher following an investigation into an allegation of domestic violence.

“I appreciate everyone who waited for the verdict to be delivered and the facts to be revealed. I appreciate everyone who didn’t rush to judge me, kept a cool head and understood the ramifications of these allegations” , Clevinger said Tuesday before the White Sox face the Milwaukee Brewers in a preseason game.

“I have always trusted. I feel vindicated,” he added. “I guess you could say it was a bad and devastating situation. I’m just trying to move on and want to focus on baseball right now. . I can’t wait to help my family heal from this.”

The commissioner’s office said its investigation included interviews with more than 15 people. Among them were Clevinger and a woman who claimed to be the mother of the athlete’s child, as well as thousands of electronic communications and other documents.

Clevinger voluntarily agreed in April to undergo evaluations by treatment boards set up by Major League Baseball and the players’ union.

When asked what he learned, Clevinger replied, “You really have to look at who you trust, I’ll just say that.”

On January 24, in an Instagram post, Olivia Finestead identified herself as the mother of Clevinger’s child and claimed that the pitcher had children other than his own.

He posted a photo of marks on his body, claiming they were injuries.

“He threw an iPad at me when I was pregnant…he finally left after he tried to strangle me,” she said.

The Associated Press generally does not identify victims of domestic violence or sexual assault unless they agree to be called by name or publicly state their allegations, as Finestead has done.

TURNER AND HIS TEETH

Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner said he and his teeth were fine a day after he was hit in the face by a fly ball during a preseason game against the Detroit Tigers.

Turner needed 16 stitches, but posted on his Twitter account that he feels “very lucky” to have no broken bones or teeth.

Right-hander Matt Manning’s throw knocked the 38-year-old Turner down. Medical personnel rushed to the aid of the player, who coughed up blood.

A towel was placed over his face, before being helped off the pitch.

Turner and his wife Kourtney posted thank you messages to fans on their Twitter accounts. Kourtney said Turner had a lot of swelling but was resting at home.

A two-time All-Star, Turner signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Red Sox after nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.