Braves plan to start Luiz Gohara after All-Star break

The Braves’ plan is for Gohara to start that game – a Tuesday matinee in Miami – which presumably could be the first of several outings, given the team’s injury situation.

Brandon McCarthy, sidelined with knee tendinitis, appears a ways away from returning. Promising righty Mike Soroka was transferred to the 60-day disabled list June 27 with shoulder soreness, and he’s yet to begin throwing.

The circumstances open an opportunity for Gohara. The 21-year-old lefty started the year as the team’s top pitching prospect, per Baseball America, and impressed in a brief sample size at the end of 2017.

“It’s something we wanted to do in the beginning when we sent him back there,” manager Brian Snitker said, referencing Gohara’s June 17 demotion. “He gets the starts and regular work, and we’ll need a starter that day (July 23).”

The Braves recalled Gohara after his latest trip to Gwinnett, and the big lefty made two relief appearances on the last road trip. He pitched four innings, striking out five and walking none. The only damage done against him came with Aaron Judge putting a 94 mph four-seamer into the seats.

Gohara has pitched 19-2/3 innings, striking out 18 and walking eight. He has made just one start.

“After having the two starts (in Gwinnett), he came in there in New York, and I thought it was better,” Snitker said. “And it will continue to get better. If we get him back to where he was last year, it was pretty good.”

Teams are making their trade deadline plans with July 31 fast approaching. Gohara, if Snitker’s hopes are realized, could be an internal midseason boost.