Fried will begin the season with Double-A Mississippi, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This comes as a surprise after it was reported that the left-hander had been sent to Triple-A Gwinnett in mid-March. Fried struggled with his control both at Double-A and in his major-league debut last year, and repeating the level would seem to be a sign that he's been passed up in the organization's pecking order by younger arms like Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard. If Fried can reduce his walks, though, his spot on the 40-man roster could give him another crack at Atlanta's rotation over the summer.

Fried was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Fried was in the mix for the Braves' fifth starter spot but will begin the year in the minors. Fried posted a 3.81 ERA in 26 major-league innings last year, though both his strikeout and walk rates were below par and his FIP was a less-palatable 4.81. The 24-year-old lefty has just six innings at the Triple-A level, but with strong performances there this year could return to the major-league rotation at some point this season. The Braves' rotation will contain at least one veteran placeholder in Brandon McCarthy and possibly a second in Scott Kazmir, so if a youngster like Fried impresses, his path won't be blocked.

Fried, Scott Kazmir, Matt Wisler, Lucas Sims and Aaron Blair all remain in the mix for the fifth spot in the Braves' rotation with the expectation that Luiz Gohara (ankle) will be sidelined until May, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The latter two pitchers look like the longest shots of the bunch to open the season in the rotation and Wisler's hopes took a hit after he was roughed up for four runs in three innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, leaving Fried and Kazmir as the top candidates to come away with the No. 5 job. The fact that Fried has minor-league options remaining probably makes Kazmir the likelier bet of the two to stick with the big club, but the young lefty could change that outlook if he finds success in his subsequent spring outings. It's been a tough go for Fried so far in Grapefruit League play, with the 24-year-old yielding four runs on nine hits and two walks across 4.2 innings in his three appearances.

Fried has a legitimate shot of filling the final rotation spot for the Braves out of spring training, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz and Brandon McCarthy are assured starting roles. This leaves two spots in the rotation for Fried, Luiz Gohara, Sean Newcomb and Scott Kazmir (hip). Gohara is the early favorite to win the fourth spot, but Fried has a good reason to believe he'll land the fifth spot. He was accelerated to the majors last season and held his own in 26 big-league innings, producing a 3.81 ERA while striking out nearly a batter per inning as a starter. Arguments stating that the pitching prospect could use more seasoning in the minors are certainly valid given the fact that he only has two Triple-A starts under his belt, but a strong spring could silence those detractors and make Fried's time to shine come now.

Fried allowed four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and a walk while striking out seven batters through just 4.1 innings during Sunday's win over Miami. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The 23-year-old lefty has made just four starts and pitched only 26 innings in the majors this season, so it wasn't surprising to see him exit quickly Sunday. Fried posted a respectable 3.81 ERA, WHIP and 7.6 in his first taste of the majors, but he'll probably return to the minors for more seasoning to begin 2018. He's only made two starts at the Triple-A level with Gwinnett, after all.

Fried will start Sunday's game against the Marlins, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

R.A. Dickey apparently passed on the option to start the Braves' season finale, so Fried will get the ball instead. The 23-year-old owns a respectable 3.21 ERA in 14 innings as a big-league starter this season, but his 4.39 xFIP suggests he may be due for some negative regression.

Fried could start Sunday's game in Miami, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Brian Snitker said R.A. Dickey would start Sunday if he wants the ball, but Fried would be the fallback option if the veteran knuckleballer is content not pitching again. It's hard to judge Fried based on his success or failures in the big leagues this year, as he skipped High-A completely to start the season, logged 86.2 innings at Double-A and then pitched just six innings at Triple-A before being promoted to the majors. This quick ascension has to do with the fact that Fried is on the 40-man roster, and the Braves want to see what he's capable of before their premier pitching prospects are all ready for The Show in the coming years. Fried has a 3.21 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 14 innings as a big-league starter this year, but he appears to be due for negative regression (4.39 xFIP).

Fried (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk across 5.1 innings to earn the loss Monday against the Mets. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Fried pitched well aside from the third inning, when he allowed two runs on two hits, an error and a hit batsman. He pumped in 16 first-pitch strikes to 25 hitters and induced 12 groundball outs. Fried struggled in his previous start, but this improved effort lowered his season ERA to a respectable 3.74. He was assigned to the spot start as the team completed a doubleheader, to it's possible that the left-hander has made his final appearance of 2017.

Fried will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets, Chris Bumbaca of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Braves will require a sixth starter with the team in the midst of a six-game stretch in five days, so Fried will temporarily reenter the rotation to fill the void. It will mark the left-hander's first start since Sept. 9 against the Marlins, when he surrendered four runs (three earned) over 3.2 innings. Due to Fried's prior history of elbow problems, the Braves likely aren't eager to have him work deep into Monday's outing even if he performs well, so his upside is fairly limited as a streamer in season-long leagues and as a DFS play.

Fried could start Monday against the Phillies if Mike Foltynewicz (finger) is unable to pitch, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not looking good for Foltynewicz, who is dealing with a lacerated finger, so Fried may reenter the rotation for a spot start after all. Fellow rookie Lucas Sims picked up the spot start over Fried on Wednesday, but with a doubleheader set for Monday, Sims and Fried would likely both start for the Braves if Foltynewicz can't go. The 23-year-old owns a 4.41 and 13:10 K:BB across 16.1 innings with the big club this season. He started a pair of games earlier in the month before being shifted back to the bullpen.