4 weeks ago
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The Atlanta Braves have called up one of their top pitching prospects for reinforcements while trying to hold onto first place in the National League East.
Right-hander Owen Murphy is coming up from Triple-A, the team announced on Monday. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, The Athletic reported.
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However, with Martín Pérez going on the injured list with a forearm contusion, along with Spencer Strider and Robert Suarez currently recovering from injuries, Murphy could join the starting rotation eventually. But he’ll pitch in relief until at least the All-Star break, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
Murphy, 22, was ranked by MLB.com as the Braves’ No. 6 minor-league prospect. He was Atlanta’s 2022 first-round selection (No. 20 overall) out of Riverside Brookfield High School in Illinois.
Beginning the season in Double-A, Murphy was promoted to Triple-A after five starts and has compiled a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts with 65 strikeouts and 20 walks in 60 1/3 innings.
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Murphy will take Pérez’s place on the Braves’ roster. Pérez sustained his injury during Sunday’s 10-9 loss to the New York Mets, getting hit by a line drive from Juan Soto in the fifth inning.
Additionally, Atlanta recalled pitcher JR Ritchie from Gwinnett and designated pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment. Ritchie, 22, made a quick bounce back to the majors after pitching three innings in Saturday’s 14-3 win, He was optioned back to Triple-A afterwards.
Ranked as the Braves’ No. 2 prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, Ritchie pitched in nine games (starting seven) for Atlanta earlier this season. Altogether, he has a 4.53 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings thus far. Ritchie made nine starts in Triple-A, compiling a 3.43 ERA and 42 Ks in 44 2/3 innings.
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Carrasco, 39, registered a 5.94 ERA in eight appearances, striking out seven batters in 16 2/3 innings.
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