Bold opening: The Braves face a spotlight game against Colombia, and everything about it signals more than just an exhibition—it's a test of international appetite, depth, and the road ahead for a team chasing consistency.
The Atlanta Braves are slated to play an exhibition matchup with Team Colombia on Wednesday, giving fans a sneak peek into how they stack up against international competition. The game will be aired live on Gray Media, ensuring fans across Braves Country can tune in.
Pitching duties for Atlanta will be handled by right-hander Elieser Hernández, who will take the mound to face Colombia.
Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic is set to begin in earnest on Wednesday with Australia taking on Chinese Taipei at 10 p.m. at the Tokyo Dome. Several teams have already played spring exhibitions against Cactus League and Grapefruit League opponents as they sharpen for pool play, which starts the following day and features pools in San Juan (Pool A), Houston (Pool B), Tokyo (Pool C), and Miami (Pool D).
Among Colombia’s roster is former Braves pitcher Julio Teherán, who spent eight seasons in Atlanta from 2011 to 2019. Teherán’s time with the club produced a 3.67 ERA and 1,184 strikeouts over 1,360 innings, a reminder of the familiar names crossing the global stage.
Controversy at the DH spotlight
News broke during a recent day off for the Braves: outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 162 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The suspension is being challenged by the MLB Players Association, as reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Profar will lose the entire $15 million salary, will miss the postseason, and cannot participate in the World Baseball Classic, where he was slated to play for the Netherlands under head coach Andruw Jones.
The club now faces a critical question: how will Alex Anthopoulos address Profar’s absence at designated hitter? Options include leaning on internal depth, pursuing a free-agent bat, or exploring trades. The Braves are already juggling injuries to pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, and will be without Ha-Seong Kim (hip) and Sean Murphy (hip) at the start of the season. If Profar’s $15 million comes off the books, the Braves could gain financial maneuverability to pursue offensive upgrades.
Watching Braves on Gray
In response to fan demand, the Braves and Gray Media have expanded spring training broadcasts, presenting 15 spring training games across Braves Country through Braves on Gray. The initiative will reach 26 markets in the Southeast.
For exact broadcast times, channel information, and more details, fans are encouraged to visit the Braves on Gray site and consult local Gray Media listings.
Thoughts to consider
- How will the absence of Profar reshape the DH role and the Braves’ lineup construction in the near term?
- With limited depth in certain areas and several injuries, will the Braves lean on internal options or seek external upgrades to remain competitive?
- What does the broader impact of the PED suspension mean for player discipline and team strategy moving forward, especially in a season that blends regular play with international competition?
Whether you agree or disagree, share your perspective in the comments: How should the Braves recalibrate their roster and approach to stay aggressive this season, given Profar’s absence and the ongoing international spotlight?
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