The Latest Breaking News from Brian Snitker

ST. LOUIS – The Braves probably couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.

WASHINGTON — Someone forgot to tell Matt Olson he left North Port.

ATLANTA — My lasting memory of the 2022 Braves: Standing in the visiting clubhouse in Philadelphia while Dansby Swanson, moisture in his eyes, declared the whole season a failure. In that moment, the 101 wins and fifth straight National League East title didn’t matter much to Swanson. They’d became irrelevant…

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Dylan Dodd didn’t imagine this either. Just a few years ago, he had an ERA over 5.00 at Southeast Missouri State. And despite jumping three minor-league levels last season, Dodd still was an unheralded prospect.

NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Braves’ rotation could be a strength, perhaps even among the best in MLB, with multiple Cy Young candidates. It could also be a bit shaky, with various outcomes that could lead the Braves to pursue external help by July.

NORTH PORT, Fla. — If A.J. Minter has a successful 2023 season, he already knows why: He kept the walks to a minimum. Minter said his goal is to issue the fewest walks among major-league relievers this season. He finished 18th in walks per nine innings among qualified relievers a…

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — One of the Braves’ promising prospects will be sidelined for the entire season.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In spring training, we are told to focus less on results and more on context. Pitchers are experimenting. Hitters are finding their timing. The in-game statistics often can be meaningless.

NORTH PORT, Fla. — On the final pitch of the Braves’ Grapefruit League opener versus the Red Sox, the Braves fell victim to the new pitch timer.

NORTH PORT, Fla. ― Many times, pitchers who experience long layoffs due to injury face this question: How confident are you that you can get back to being the guy you were before the injuries?

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Michael Soroka (“Michael” is his preference, now) reported to spring training, but is not a full go.