Bedraggled Atlanta Braves Bullpen Forces Changes
By Fred Owens
Apr 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Anthony Varvaro delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Braves Bullpen Reinforcements?
Today the Red Sox designated Anthony Varvaro for assignment. Varvaro who was traded to the Res Sox in the off season for Aaron Kurz appeared in nine games and threw 11 innings for Boston with posting a 4.09 ERA and 1.818 WHIP. Those aren’t stellar numbers but it was a league change and that always skews things.
Last year for the Braves Varvaro threw 54 2/3 innings posting a 2.63 ERA and 1.079 WHIP. In Boston his FIP was 3.32 which is pretty close to his 3.21 form last season in Atlanta. Most were surprised when Varvaro was traded so bringing him back wouldn’t be a huge surprise and would give the Braves another eighth inning option.
When the Braves brought up Michael Kohn and John Cornely on the 24th they sent Brandon Cunniff back to Gwinnett to rest. Since arriving there he’s thrown one inning for 24 pitches. I expect Cunniff to return as part of the shuffle because he was very good at getting ground balls when needed.
The Braves signed Mitchell Boggs last week as well. He’s appeared in one game for 2 innings, far too small a sample size to base a conclusion on. His last major league appearance was for Colorado in 2013.
Who goes down? I have no idea except that it won’t be left Ian Thomas because. . .well because he’s a lefty.
That’s A Wrap
Folty’s got a big arm, throwing his four seamer consistently in the high 90s. some okay secondary stuff as well Ben wrote a nice piece on him a week ago you should peek their for details. The Reds haven’t seen him at all so if he pounds the zone he could be just what the doctor ordered. I hope that he’s solid and give us at least six.
I’m also a fan of returning Varvaro to the fold. He’s got experience in the role and was solid for Atlanta while he was there. Whoever moves down in the shuffle, I’m thinking Cornely is the likely candidate, I expect Cunniff to be the first coming back. All of this is conjecture of course, John hart could trade for someone tonight but I doubt it.
Whatever happens we’ll keep you informed here on the Take.