Fried tossed a scoreless eighth inning in Thursday's 10-4 loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

With the Braves' bullpen having an Opening Day meltdown, manager Brian Snitker brought in Fried in a mop-up role to calm things down. The southpaw was ticketed to start for Atlanta on April 4 against the Cubs once the team needs a fifth starter, and his 11-pitch outing here shouldn't impact that plan. If he's needed again between now and then, however, his first start of the season may have to wait.

Fried is scheduled to start the Braves' sixth game of the season April 4 against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assuming Fried isn't used out of the bullpen during the first five games, the southpaw will join Atlanta's rotation during the team's second series of the season. With Kevin Gausman (shoulder) expected to join the rotation shortly after his scheduled start -- and Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) and Mike Soroka (shoulder) not far behind -- Fried's stay in the rotation could be brief. Fried owns a 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings this spring.

Fried tossed five scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander has been impressive all spring and now boasts a 16:5 K:BB across 15.1 innings. Fried's path to breaking camp in the rotation is complicated by the fact that the Braves won't need a fifth starter until Apr. 7, which gives Kevin Gausman more time to build up his pitch count after a late start to his spring, but based on performance alone Fried would seem to have earned a spot. The same could be said for Touki Toussaint and Kyle Wright, however. The club could well keep all three young arms on the 25-man roster, using whoever isn't starting in long relief, but a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett to stay stretched out also remains on the table.

Fried gave up one run on two hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings of relief in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old southpaw is still technically in the running for a rotation spot, but it's illuminating that the Braves used him in long relief here behind the returning Kevin Gausman (shoulder). If Gausman can't ramp things up in time for his first turn through the rotation, Fried seems ready to fill in given his sharp 8:2 K:BB through 7.1 spring innings, but otherwise a bullpen assignment -- or a return to Triple-A Gwinnett where he can stay stretched out -- are more likely scenarios.

Fried's finger laceration has healed, and he'll take his next turn in the rotation as scheduled, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear exactly when that turn will come, but he last appeared Saturday, so his next turn is likely to come within a few days. Fried doesn't appear to be a favorite for an Opening Day rotation spot, but he should wind up making at least at few starts at some point this season when other Atlanta starters go down with injuries.

Fried left Saturday's game against the Tigers with a cut on his left pinky.

EDGE Analysis

The Braves' rotation continues to get hammered by injuries, with Fried joining teammates Mike Foltynewicz (elbow), Kevin Gausman (shoulder), Luiz Gohara (shoulder) and Mike Soroka (shoulder) on the list of banged-up young arms. Fried's cut could presumably heal well before Opening Day, but a precise timeline is not yet clear.

Fried was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Fried was activated from the disabled list at the end of August, but the Braves wanted to see him make one more appearance for Gwinnett before joining the big-league bullpen. He tossed 81 pitches in his final rehab appearance for the Stripers -- allowing two runs while striking out eight across five innings -- so he figures to work in a long-relief role for the big club down the stretch. Fried owns a solid 3.14 ERA and 36:17 K:BB across 28.2 innings (10 appearances, five starts) with the Braves this season.

Fried (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Fried had made a pair of rehab appearances for Gwinnett and will now continue there as normal member of the team. He's recorded a solid 3.14 ERA in 28.2 innings at the big-league level this season, but with just four games remaining before rosters expand in September, it's likely that the Braves simply didn't see a need for Fried over the next few days but will call him up for the final month of the season.

Fried (groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic Atlanta reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fried is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left groin strain, and he could be cleared to rejoin the Braves after making just one appearance for the Stripers. It's unclear what role Fried will fill once activated, but if he's moved to the bullpen he could still make occasional spot starts down the stretch.

Fried (groin) is close to joining Triple-A Gwinnett for a minor-league rehab start, David O'Brien of The Athletic Atlanta reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fried landed on the disabled list last week with a strained left groin. He's apparently further along in his rehab than expected, and the southpaw could be cleared to rejoin the big-league club after one start with the Stripers if all goes well. It's still unclear if Fried will return to a starting role or transition to the bullpen once healthy.