Atlanta Braves Recall RHP John Gant, Send Ryan Weber To Gwinnett

Braves Make Roster Moves To The Bullpen

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday afternoon that they have recalled right-handed relief pitcher John Gant and sent righty relief pitcher Ryan Weber down to the  Gwinnett Braves.

Weber has struggled on the mound, especially his past two outings, during the 2016 season.  In his three appearances with in Atlanta, he has a 10.57 ERA, has given up 15 hits, nine runs, and two homers in 7.2 innings pitched.  Fredi Gonzalez was using him as the Braves long relief pitcher as he went 3 2/3 innings, 2 innings and 2 innings.

On Tuesday, Weber came into the ball game with the score 6-2.  By the time he walked off the mound, it was 11-2.  Same thing happened last Saturday night against the Mets.  Came into the game with the Braves trailing 5-2 and when he was finished pitching the score was 8-2.

Many were calling for the 25-year-old to be sent down on social media after last nights performance and the Braves must have listened (sarcasm).

Gant’s a name you’ve heard before in Atlanta.  Remember, he had the entire MLB universe talking after his Opening Day performance against the Nationals.  He pitched the ninth inning of a 3-1 game, striking out one and allowing one hit.  Not an overly shocking night, but it was his delivery that had everyone talking.

His very unusual pitching motion through off the Nationals for a night as well as others.  Here’s a video of Gant when he was in Atlanta on Opening Night.

After that night, Gant appeared again on April 8th and April 9th against the St. Louis Cardinals.  They must have watched the tape on him.  Both nights he pitched one inning and both nights he gave up two runs.  He did total up three strikeouts in each appearance which shows promise.

After making the Braves Opening Day roster, the Braves sent the 23-year-old down to Gwinnett for a fresh arm in the bullpen.  That arm was Chris Withrow.

Gant went down to Gwinnett to stretch out his arm to continue making strides as a starting pitcher.  He made three starts since his April demotion going 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA.  In 14.2 innings, he struck out 18 hitters, seven walks, eight hits and six runs.

Since he was drafted in 2011 by the New York Mets in the 21st round, he’s also been a starting pitcher in the minors.  He’s had 74 starts in the minor leagues since he was 18-years-old.

Is this the right move for the Braves?  Should they let him continue developing as a starter or push him to be a relief pitcher since we are in such dire need of an arm?

At least he’s fun to watch and racks up strikeouts…it will give us something to watch out for later in games.