Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran will not be on the team's 25-man roster for the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Brian Snitker announced Wednesday.
"That was as tough a decision as I've ever been a part of in my baseball career," Snitker said of leaving Teheran out, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.
The skipper added that Atlanta will go with a six-player bench and an 11-man pitching staff with right-hander Josh Tomlin in the role of long reliever.
The 28-year-old Teheran accrued a 3.81 ERA in 33 starts this season. He's made six consecutive Opening Day starts for the Braves.
All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman has been teammates with Teheran since 2011.
"It's tough," Freeman said, according to 680 The Fan. "I actually texted him earlier today just to let him know I care about everything he's done this year and everything he's done every year. We wouldn't be in the playoffs without him."
Game 1 of the NLDS is set for Thursday at SunTrust Park in Atlanta.
