Atlanta Braves add Max Fried: Dustin Peterson claimed

The Atlanta Braves added another pitcher to their active roster before heading to Phoenix after yesterday’s heartbreaking loss to the Red Sox.

Trips west of the Mississippi haven’t been kind to the Atlanta Braves. In an effort to bolster their tired, inconsistent bullpen that supports a set of starters who issue tons of walks, the Braves added Max Fried to the roster for the trip.

Later today we learned that the Detroit Tigers claimed Dustin Peterson off waivers after the Braves designated him for assignment to make room for Kyle Wright. Peterson struggled with injuries the last two seasons or he might have been on the opening day roster last year.

Peterson had a cup of coffee with Atlanta this season but it amounted to just two plate appearances. Now he gets a new start with a rebuilding team who could well put him in the lineup to see what they have. We here at the Take wish Dustin good luck in Tiger Town.

Most fans – me included – were less than pleased when Mike Foltynewicz left yesterday’s game after six innings. Later I learned (Twitter link) that Mike’s velocity dropped and he told the staff the bone spur on his pitching elbow caused it. That explains the decision to remove him – but not the rest that followed.

Rolaids, Tums, Pepto

Aside from Brad Brach and Sam Freeman, Braves’ relievers are well past the most innings they’ve ever thrown. That has to be taking a toll. That’s why the Braves added Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson to the group.

We saw Wright throw a pair of scoreless innings on Sunday and we watched Wilson pitch well as a starter even though his relief stint wasn’t as good as hoped. It’s natural to assume the Fried will simply join the relief corps but the Braves view him as a starter and Newcomb’s last performance didn’t instill confidence.

Fried’s done both for the Braves since arriving but his stuff works best as a starter.  I’ve been a huge supporter of Fried since the trade. Anyone with a nice heater and a big hammer like his should be a real pain for hitters.  How the manager uses him is anyone’s guess.

Dan Winkler’s pretty good at baseball things

Those who watched yesterday saw the Atlanta Braves pen – with the help of defensive lapses – implode late. Dan Winkler gave up four (sort of) hits in succession.

He gave up three hits twice this year and for those wondering when he last gave up four hits in an inning, at the Major league level the answer is never. He allowed four hits in AAA on July 1, 2017, and four in AA. I saw folks on Twitter saying all kinds of unfounded things about Winkler so let me clear this up.

Going into last night’s game Winkler’s been a stellar performer from the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves. On the year he’d made 61 appearances, thrown 56 1/3 innings, struck out 67, walked 14 and posted a 2.40 ERA.

After the All-Star break, Winkler made 19 appearances thrown 17 1/3 innings, struck out 19, walked three and posted a 1.04 ERA.

Today he’s tied for the 14 of 167 among MLB relievers with 40 or more innings in fWAR. A. J. Minter’s tied for 22nd, Jesse Biddle and Shane Carle are tied with eight others at #70 while Sam Freeman is tied with a handful of others at #110.

That’s a wrap

This trip out west is critical for the Atlanta Braves. They rarely play well west of the Mississippi but have played .500 baseball at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks are 75-64, two games back of the Rockies in the lost column, and losers in four of their last five games. We start the visit facing Zack Greinke (2.97 ERA) followed by Patrick Corbin (3.06 ERA), Clay Buchholz (2.05 ERA) and Robbie Ray (4.25 ERA).

The Diamondbacks are struggling on defense, 10th in the NL with –23 DRS this season, otherwise they might have their division well in hand. Perhaps that will work to the Braves advantage in Arizona.

The Braves need to do something for themselves because the Phillies aren’t going to simply lay down and quit.