Tim Hudson received a cortisone shot on Friday after experiencing discomfort caused by bone spurs in his left ankle during a bullpen session earlier in the day.
Julio Teheran will get the spot start in his place on Sunday in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, as reported by David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
#Braves will skip Hudson tomorrow, minor ankle problem. Calling up Teheran for spot start. Hope Hudson can come back Wed vs Yankees
— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) June 9, 2012
Teheran experienced command issues during his brief call-up at the end of last season, then again while competing for a spot in the rotation during spring training.
Those issues have yet to subside this season at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he has walked 21 batters and allowed eight home runs in 54.1 innings.
His last four starts have also been inconsistent, backing up good starts with bad.
On May 17, he lasted only 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking five and striking out two. He followed that up with seven innings of one-run ball on four hits in a May 22 start.
He then only lasted three innings in his next start on May 28, giving up six runs (four earned) on seven hits.
Teheran followed up that rough start with possibly his best outing this season on June 3, striking out six while issuing no walks and only one run in a complete game.
Even with those struggles, Teheran has managed a 5-2 record with a 3.15 ERA in 11 starts.
With the Braves targeting a return to the mound for Hudson on Wednesday against the New York Yankees, Teheran’s time in the majors will be limited to his Sunday start.
ESPN.com reported that backup catcher J.C. Boscan would be sent to Gwinnett to open up the roster spot for Teheran and that a reliever would be added once Teheran is sent back down.
Wondering why Jair Jurrjens isn’t getting the call to start Sunday’s game?
He has allowed 61 hits with a 5.26 ERA in 49.2 innings since being demoted to Triple-A after only four starts in Atlanta.
Jim Pratt is Founder/Writer for Big Leagues Monthly | The Magazine and is also a Featured Columnist here at Bleacher Report. Follow him on twitter @BigLeaguesMthly.
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