Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Braves Option Matt Wisler To Gwinnett

Baseball Reference

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Philadelphia Phillies jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Atlanta Braves had an at-bat.  The top of the 1st inning was a rough one to watch…Braves starting pitcher started the game with a leadoff walk, then a single, then back-to-back home runs, followed by another walk and another single before eventually getting Freddy Galvis to pop out in foul territory.  The inning wasn’t over however, Cody Asche hit a sharp liner to second base and Jace Peterson couldn’t field it, tackle on another run.  The Braves battled back throughout the game to make it a contest.  In the late innings, they actually had the tying run at the plate and even scored a run in the 9th inning.  Unlike many other Atlanta Braves teams, this team hasn’t quit when getting down early.

Braves lose 7-5

FOX Sports South

Braves’ deal with Rangers opens door again for Jose Ramirez

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Remember that one trade we’ve all been talking about – Texas Rangers sending Travis Demeritte to Atlanta for Lucas Harrell and relief pitcher Dario Alvarez?  Well the corresponding move – since Demeritte is still in the minors and we shipped two guys on the 40-man and 25-man rosters – was to call up two fresh bullpen arms Matt Marksberry and Jose Ramirez.  Ramirez is a 26-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic that the Braves traded for on December 4, 2015.  The player they gave up for Ramirez was Ryne Harper. We’ve seen Ramirez in Atlanta already this season in early April, but his appearances were quite forgettable.  He did throw one inning last night, giving up one hit and strikeout out two Phillies hitters.

"So instances like the Braves sending Dario Alvarez to the Rangers as part of Wednesday’s three-player deal and having to bring up Matt Marksberry and Jose Ramirez to fortify the bullpen are nothing new. Though it does put the Braves in an interesting situation given the recent losses to their stable of relievers.Ramirez won’t have to wait long to get his chance. With Cabrera and Withrow coming off back-to-back outings in Minnesota –Cabrera allowed two hits with five strikeouts in 2 1/3; Withrow didn’t allow a hit in 1 2/3 — Snitker expects to be working with a short bullpen to open the series against the Phillies.“That’s why it’s good to get Ramirez here today,” Snitker said. “He’s fresh and ready to go.”"

Today’s Knuckleball 

Braves option RHP Matt Wisler to Triple-A Gwinnett

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: As you’ll see below, the Atlanta Braves made it official after they posted to their social media page – that’s how things become official these days, right?  Matt Wisler to Gwinnett to hopefully find his confidence, his pitches and probably to work more on the changeup that he and Tom Glavine worked on this past offseason.  The corresponding move will have to be a starting pitcher as we are now down two starters after the Harrell trade.  Atlanta will need a starting pitcher for the Sunday game against the Phillies.  My guess would be Casey Kelly as he last pitched for Gwinnett this past Sunday and pitched well in that game.

"Prior to the Braves making the demotion official on Thursday evening, initial reports indicated that Wisler would be headed down to Triple-A Gwinnett sooner rather than later as a result of his recent struggles.The 23-year-old encountered his third consecutive loss on Thursday evening against the Phillies. With the Braves falling by the score of 7-5, Wisler allowed five runs in the first inning alone despite his teammates closing the gap behind him later in the game.Lasting just five innings, he allowed seven hits, seven runs, six earned runs, three home runs and two walks against three strikeouts."