Justin Toscano

TORONTO — I’ve now been to all 30 MLB ballparks (plus some others)

Alex Anthopoulos, in his 14th year as a GM, had never made an in-season coaching staff change. He doesn't believe in pinning struggles on coaches. He felt this situation was clear -- so much so that he privately begun to ponder who might be available to coach third base for ATL.

Two of Chris Sale’s teammates helped him make the adjustments that have gotten him back to ace form: Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes. The changes had to do with his release point and his fastball’s spin direction. Inside the changes: ajc.com/sports/2025/05…

Fairchild dislocated his pinkie. He’ll actually be available to run in Game 2 if necessary.

An update: I’m no longer the Braves beat writer for the AJC. I won’t discuss the details of what occurred, but I did feel like I owed it to you all to thank you for your support in my time on the beat. Braves Country is really special. I’m already excited about whatever is next.

What did I miss

We see bad teams in sports all the time, but in baseball, a daily game, the Rockies are going for their 10th win … On June 2! That is still legitimately unfathomable to me

Alex Anthopoulos said Marcell Ozuna is playing through that hip tear. It’s going to be a factor this year, Anthopoulos said. Ozuna will have to manage it until the offseason.

Breaking: The Braves removed Matt Tuiasosopo from the third base coach role. They reassigned him to minor-league infield coordinator. The new third base coach: Former manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was replaced by the current manager, Brian Snitker, in 2016.

AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL. They’re considering their options as far as next steps.

Along with Rick Kranitz, Spencer Schwellenbach+Grant Holmes helped Chris Sale make key adjustments. They’re more familiar with the metrics and tech than Sale. Says a lot about Sale that he was willing to accept help. This Holmes quote was awesome 😂 ajc.com/sports/2025/05…

In the third inning, it looked as if Spencer Strider noticed something was wrong with AJ Smith-Shawver. He quickly alerted the coaches. On the mound, AJSS said he "felt a pop" in his elbow. "Doesn't look good," Brian Snitker said. ajc.com/sports/2025/05…

Nick Allen’s X-rays on his hand were negative. He was hit by a pitch in the knuckles. Stuart Fairchild likely headed to the injured list tomorrow, Snit said.

The Braves beat the Phillies, 9-3. They split the doubleheader, but lost the series. They are back home tomorrow. Atlanta is 26-29.

Chris Sale is the fastest to 2,500 strikeouts in MLB history by innings pitched, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Sale did it in 2,026 innings. Randy Johnson, who previously held the record, did it in 2,107 2/3 frames.

The Braves have scored 11 runs off Zack Wheeler in two games this season. Wheeler has allowed only 14 runs combined in his 10 other starts.

After six scoreless innings tonight, Chris Sale has a 1.42 ERA over his last seven starts. That'll do.

The Ozzie Albies home run was the first by any @MLB hitter against a Zack Wheeler splitter since 2018. Great note by Elijah Ackerman of @MLBNetwork Research. @Braves

Braves placed AJ Smith-Shawver on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow. Michael Petersen was recalled to take the roster spot. Petersen was in the clubhouse in between games and will be an extra bullpen arm.

Wondered if AJ Smith-Shawver was compensating after getting hit in the foot. But Brian Snitker said the elbow injury was an isolated incident. Snitker said Smith-Shawver said he felt a pop. Sean Murphy recalled Smith-Shawver saying something didn't feel right in his arm.