LAKELAND, Fla. -- Julio Teheran took advantage of an early opportunity to get his competitive juices flowing when he produced a strong start for Colombia during the World Baseball Classic. Now, the Braves ace can begin looking toward his next significant assignment -- his fourth consecutive Opening Day start.
"I'm ready for the season," Teheran confidently said after he made his final Grapefruit League start during Friday's 3-2 loss to the Tigers at Publix Field.
While limiting the Tigers to two runs and recording five strikeouts over six innings, Teheran faced a big league lineup for the final time during this year's Spring Training. The 26-year-old hurler will pitch a few innings in a Minor League game on Wednesday and then makes his next start during the April 3 matchup against the Mets at Citi Field.
"The last start of Spring Training, you don't want to go too hard," Teheran said. "You want to save it for a regular game."
During Friday's start, Teheran pitched around Tyler Collins' first-inning double and then surrendered three doubles during a two-run third inning, which concluded with Nicholas Castellanos being picked off second base.
Since the start of the 2013 season, Teheran leads all Major League pitchers with 22 pickoffs. No other right-handed pitcher has more than 11 within this span.
Teheran encountered more trouble in the fifth when he hit James McCann with a pitch, walked Alex Presley and allowed a Brendan Ryan single to load the bases with no outs. He escaped unscathed courtesy of two consecutive strikeouts and right fielder Mel Rojas Jr.'s diving catch, which robbed Castellanos of what would have been a three-run, extra-base hit.
"Before the season, that's where you want to be, to see how you make your pitches," Teheran said. "I was able to make my pitches when I needed to. That is really good. That is something you want to know before the season starts."