Atlanta Braves Promote Jhoulys Chacin to Start Tonight
It’s Time for That 5th Starter – and Braves’ Chacin is being Promoted to Face Washington Tonight
In a move that surprises no one, the Atlanta Braves are bringing RHP Jhoulys Chacin (“joo-LEEZ cha-SEEN”, we’re told) to the majors for the purposes of joining the rotation tonight. He’ll be the ‘5th Starter’, though is technically hopping into the 3rd position ahead of Matt Wisler – effectively giving the youngster an extra day off.
#Braves select contract of Jhoulys Chacin from @GwinnettBraves and option Joel De La Cruz to Gwinnett. Jesse Biddle transferred to 60-day DL
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 12, 2016
Chacin is 28 and is attempting to restore his own fortunes following injury in 2014. Up until that point, he’s posted many of the best seasons as a Rockies starter in that franchise’s history: tying for second best-ever ERA with Ubaldo Jimenez among qualified starters in 2013, and 5th best in 2011. He was even better in 2010, though with fewer innings.
During the Spring, he threw to a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings with 8 walks and 16 K, though a 1.71 WHIP was definitely concerning. In his final tune-up at Gwinnett last week, however, Chacin pitched into the 8th inning, giving up no runs against just 5 hits and 2 walks.
Those would be welcome numbers tonight against a potent Nationals attack that the Braves have yet been able to solve, as the Braves need to find a way to stop the bleeding – literally as well as figuratively, given recent injuries – and get a Win posted up on the board.
Making Space
It’s one of Baseball’s Rules of Motion: With every call-up, there must be an equal and opposite transaction, and thus it will be Joel De La Cruz who is optioned back to AAA as the “corresponding move” for Chacin’s promotion.
De La Cruz nearly got into the game last night as Bud Norris seemed incapable of getting out of the very first inning. Norris ultimately lasted 5 innings, but the damage was already done. It would certainly be helpful for the bullpen if Chacin could go deeper into the game… never mind holding Washington at bay.
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Chacin hails from the coastal town of Maracaibo, Venezuela, originally signing as an International free agent. He made it to regular US leagues in 2007 and first hit the majors in the midst of the 2009 season at the age of 21.