Atlanta Braves: Quit Playing Games With My Heart
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Gant Recalled To ATL, Perez To DL
The Atlanta Braves have called back up to the majors pitcher John Gant and have placed starting pitcher Williams Perez on the disabled list. Perez will be on the 15-day DL with a right rotator-cuff strain. The Braves don’t expect this injury to be a serious one, but he will need some time to heal what’s going on.
Gant will be given another opportunity in Atlanta. While in Atlanta, he’s appeared in seven games with a 6.17 ERA in his 11.2 innings pitched. While in Gwinnett, he’s appeared in eight games, but has started seven of these appearances. He holds a 3.14 ERA with a 3-0 record in 43 innings.
The Braves fan base has been pleading for Gant to be given a chance to be a starting pitcher in the major leagues and this could be his best chance. He’s always been a starting pitcher – since being drafted by the New York Mets in the 21st round of the 2011 draft, Gant has been a starting pitcher. In his six years playing professional baseball, 78 of his 82 minor league appearances have been the starting pitcher.
With Perez’s spot in the rotation now open, the Braves should slide Gant’s name right into this position.
This will be the fourth time in 2016 that the Braves have called Gant up to the MLB and twice on the current six-day road trip. It’s kinda unbelievable with what they are doing with this young man and I’m sure he’s getting frustrated.
In the two games he appeared in over his last stint in Atlanta he pitched 2.2 innings (two innings in one game and 0.2 in the other), giving up four hits, one run, one walk and two strikeouts.
When the 23-year-old’s father was asked about his son being constantly tugged up and down from the minor leagues, he said….
Well I certainly hope they give him a start as I think that is his strength. His time will come. He's earning it https://t.co/InClBKDyBi
— John C. Gant (@JohnCGant) June 8, 2016
If Gant isn’t given this chance to be the starting pitcher, it could go to Casey Kelly. The game in question is the Sunday start against the Chicago Cubs.
The right-hander hasn’t started a game since May 30th in Gwinnett. He went 6.2 innings giving up 11 hits, five runs and a walk.
Though his last start in Gwinnett wasn’t the best, he has pitched very well in Gwinnett as a starting pitcher.
If the Braves don’t feel this is the time to give Gant a start, I think he needs to come soon. Hell, I want it on Sunday, but have a feeling they will go with Kelly.