Max Fried, the ace pitcher for the Braves, will see his next start postponed, and he won’t take the mound until the upcoming series against the Washington Nationals, scheduled to start on Thursday.

This decision comes after Fried developed a hot spot on his finger during his last outing on September 12. Manager Brian Snitker, addressing reporters, including Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, mentioned that the team is taking a cautious approach to prevent Fried from developing a blister.

With the NL East title secured, the Braves are prioritizing the health and readiness of their roster for the playoffs, particularly concerning a top-of-the-rotation pitcher like Fried.

Meanwhile, the postseason roster spot for Nick Anderson remains uncertain. The right-handed reliever has been sidelined for over two months due to a shoulder strain. Anderson is set to begin a Triple-A rehab assignment on Tuesday.

However, as Toscano points out, he won’t have much time to ramp up since the Triple-A season concludes next weekend. With a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Braves have additional time to make decisions regarding players like Anderson, as well as Jesse Chavez, who is also on a rehab assignment, and others who are on the fringe of the roster.

The pitching staff, in particular, will be closely scrutinized, as the Braves’ pitchers have posted a collective 5.60 ERA since August 31, ranking fifth-highest in baseball during that period.