Santana set for debut Wednesday vs. Mets

WASHINGTON -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez confirmed veteran pitcher Ervin Santana will make his season debut when he starts Wednesday night's game against the Mets at Turner Field.

Santana's debut will occur exactly one month after the Braves first contacted him with the hope he was still available to help replenish their injury-depleted starting rotation. The 31-year-old veteran hurler was reportedly close to signing with the Blue Jays before he accepted Atlanta's one-year, $14.1 million offer.

With Santana now in the mix, the Braves will begin using a traditional five-man starting rotation. Atlanta's four-man rotation had compiled a 1.42 ERA in five games entering Sunday.

David Hale, Julio Teheran and Alex Wood will all have one extra day of rest entering their next outings. Hale will start Thursday's series finale against the Mets. Teheran, Wood and Aaron Harang will serve as Atlanta's starting pitchers during next weekend's home series against the Nationals.