Braves News: Atlanta options Kerr, Murphy rehab stint set, Sale continues to impress

It was a tough stretch of baseball for the Atlanta Braves over the past week. Their longest losing streak of the season reached four games on Monday, after they squandered a 5-0 lead in an embarrassing loss to San Diego.

Thankfully, one of the brightest stars of the 2024 was ready to step up. Chris Sale continued to be filthy as he racked up nine K's in his seven shutout innings in game two of the Monday doubleheader. The game two victory got the Braves back in the win column, and hopefully off to better baseball in Chicago.

Braves send impressive bullpen arm back to Triple-A

Although Sale was dominant last night, the Braves pitching staff was very taxed thanks to a pesky Padres offense. Ahead of Monday's doubleheader, Bryce Elder was sent to Triple-A and Darius Vines was recalled. The bullpen also saw some movement late last night.

Ray Kerr was the victim of having options, and being a guy who was used heavily recently (he threw 64 pitches on Sunday) so it made sense for him to be sent back to Gwinnett. This allows Atlanta to keep Daysbel Hernandez (who was appointed the 27th man of the doubleheader) around to give them fresh arms for the upcoming road trip. Given how much Kerr has impressed, don't be shocked to see him back in Atlanta very soon.

Murphy set to begin rehab assignment

Great news for Braves fans is that they won't have to wait much longer to get their starting catcher back. Sean Murphy has been sidelined since he injured his oblique on Opening Day in Philadelphia. However, Murphy is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment with Gwinnett tonight.

It's been hinted that once Murphy got back into game action he may not require an extended rehab assignment. That's not to say you should expect him to join the team in Chicago, but getting Murphy back for their home game on May 27 against the Nationals isn't out of the realm of possibility.

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