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Braves' Tyler Mahle: Pitches through abdominal issue
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Wednesday that Mahle suffered an abdominal injury while warming up and nearly didn't start as scheduled, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports. The right-hander didn't factor in the decision, giving up one run on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk across seven innings.
Mahle fully downplayed the injury, but it makes the playoff performance even more impressive as he tied a season best for innings pitched. It continues a strong run of form for the 32-year-old, who posted a 1.99 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB in 54.1 frames across nine regular-season starts after being acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline. Should Atlanta advance to the NLDS, Mahle tentatively lines up to take the mound in Game 3 against the Dodgers next week.
Braves' Lane Thomas: Taking batting practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Thomas (intercostal) will take batting practice at Truist Park on Wednesday, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.
Thomas is just under three weeks removed from suffering a left intercostal strain. He's responded well to increased workouts and will have a big test Wednesday in taking batting practice on the field. If Thomas proves his health, he'll be a candidate to be added to Atlanta's roster for the NLDS, should his team advance.
Sale didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday. He struck out nine while giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings.
The veteran left-hander surrendered a run during the first inning but shut down Philadelphia for the next five frames before he put on two runners in the seventh that came around to score on righty reliever Didier Fuentes. Sale made just three starts in September as the club managed his workload down the stretch, and he looked plenty fresh Tuesday, touching 100 mph and throwing 95 pitches (65 strikes). Atlanta completed the comeback, and should it complete the series win, Sale tentatively lines up to pitch in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday.
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Braves' Austin Riley: Launches game-deciding homer
Rotowire
Riley went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run during Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday.
The veteran third baseman came to the plate in the eighth inning with Atlanta trailing 3-2, and he delivered a three-run homer to right-center field off Philadelphia closer Jhoan Duran to flip the script. Riley closed the regular season by going 0-for-11 with six strikeouts in his last three games, dropping his OPS for the campaign to a career-worst .654 in 159 contests. Already the Game 1 hero, Riley could effectively erase all his 2026 struggles if he continues to perform in the playoffs.
Atlanta designated Vanasco for assignment Tuesday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.
The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster. Vanasco -- who was claimed off waivers by Atlanta in late August -- has allowed 15 runs (14 earned) over 10.1 career innings in the majors.
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Braves' Elieser Hernandez: Booted off 40-man roster
Rotowire
Atlanta designated Hernandez for assignment Tuesday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.
The club needed to free 40-man roster spots for the additions of Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams. Hernandez is a safe bet to clear waivers and become a free agent.
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Braves' Sean Murphy: Not starting Game 1
Rotowire
Murphy is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series against the Phillies.
Even with the Phillies rolling out left-hander Jesus Luzardo to start Tuesday, Atlanta will go with Drake Baldwin at catcher and the left-handed-hitting Mike Yastrzemski at designated hitter. Murphy sported just a .462 OPS in September.
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