Atlanta Braves call up Roddery Munoz, outright Lucas Luetge to Triple-A Gwinnett
Going into a pretty important series against the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves have been busy getting their roster in order. Yesterday, we saw the team option Michael Soroka back to the minor leagues, make a waiver claim, and do some general roster housekeeping. That did leave the team with room to add a player to the roster.
Well, today we know who that player is going to be as Roddery Munoz was called up to the big leagues.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Roddery Muñoz to Atlanta and outrighted LHP Lucas Luetge to Triple-A Gwinnett. Additionally, RHP Michael Tonkin tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with the Stripers.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 6, 2023
Before we get into Munoz and what he brings to the table, we will deal with the additional roster stuff. The Braves were hopeful that Luetge could be a reliable arm out of the bullpen, but the junkballing lefty has dealt with injury and, well, not being any good in 2023 as he posted a 10.24 ERA over nine appearances this year. He could make his way back if he can get right at Gwinnett, but he is gonna have to regain that trust.
As for Tonkin, he had been a success story for the Braves' bullpen unless his last couple of appearances and subsequent IL stint due to a strained neck. As a guy who can pitch multiple innings, it would sure be nice if he could contribute.
Now, lets get into what Braves fans can expect to see out of Roddery Munoz...
What the Atlanta Braves can expect out of Roddery Munoz
Roddery is a somewhat strange prospect case who is big on arm talent, but is new to the role that he will presumably be playing for the Braves. Munoz was a starting pitching prospect for the Braves after being signed out of the Dominican Republic back in 2018. He features a fastball that can hit the upper 90's and a slider that has a ton of action on it and misses bats with regularity.
Munoz's ability to throw strikes as a starter was a bit of problem at times, but the Braves liked Roddery's stuff enough to add him to the 40 man roster this past offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Roddery Munoz picks up his 5th strikeout in 3.1 innings pitched - this one especially impressive against Trey Sweeney pic.twitter.com/FO6trNhdwR
— Gaurav (@gvedak) April 13, 2022
After making 22 starts in 2022 across high-A and Double-A with mixed results, the Braves finally made the move to convert Roddery to being a (mostly) full-time reliever to let his stuff play up and minimize his command issues. In 15 appearances including one start, Munoz has been molded into a multi-inning reliever where he has posted a 4.94 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 20 walks in 27.1 innings of work.
The walks very obviously stand out and it will be curious to see how the Braves employ Munoz during this stint. It is worth mentioning that Roddery has given up just three walks total in his last four appearances with eight strikeouts over that same timeframe.