Former Rangers Starter Debuts for Braves

The pitcher the Texas Rangers gave up for Jake Odorizzi last offseason made his first start since 2021 and helped the Atlanta Braves defeat the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon.

Kolby Allard was the price the Rangers paid to acquire Odorizzi in the final year of his contract. Odorizzi will not play this season due to a right rotator cuff strain that required surgery. He’ll be a free agent this offseason.

Things didn’t start great for Allard in Atlanta, either. Allard tore his right oblique muscle during Spring Training, spent time on the 60-day injured list and threw 6 2/3 innings over two rehab starts at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Allard was actually a surprise selection to start, but it worked out. He threw 4 2/3 innings and limited the Twins to three hits. He also struck out eight. He didn’t work enough innings to get the win. But he helped the Braves continue their red-hot June, as they’re now 20-4.

Allard’s previous start was on Sept. 4, 2021, for the Rangers, going 5 2/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

Allard started his career with the Braves as a first-round pick in 2015 and made his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2018. He was dealt to the Rangers for pitcher Chris Martin later that year.

In four seasons with the Rangers, Allard went 8-22 with a 5.85 ERA in 64 games and 34 starts.

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