The Braves were concerned enough with Jair Jurrjens injury to place him on the 15-day disabled list. Kris Medlen will take his turn in the rotation this Saturday, and reliever Craig Kimbrel will be recalled from triple-A.
Kimbrel has been dominant at triple-A Gwinnett this season. In 11 appearances spanning 15 innings he has allowed 2 runs on just 7 hits and 5 walks (though he has hit 4 batters) while striking out 21. That's a 1.20 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP. He was ranked as the 7th-best prospect on the Talking Chop top-30 prospect list, and he is considered to be future Major League closer material. Because of his diminutive size, he is often compared to a right-handed Billy Wagner, so it's good that he'll be able to get some Major League bullpen time with Wager this year.
Jurrjens strained his hamstring in a game on April 29th, and was then skipped in the rotation earlier this week. Medlen's last start came on July 12th of 2009 in a spot-start against Colorado. He's worked multiple innings his last two appearances, so he should be stretched out enough to go five or six innings, depending on how economical he is with his pitches. He will be facing the Phililes, whom he has struggled against, compiling a 6.75 ERA in 8 innings of work, allowing 6 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. All 7 of those appearances have been in relief.
Kimrel's promotion will culminate in the most highly anticipated debut of a Braves pitching prospect this season. While other pitchers are ranked higher than Kimbrel, he is by far the closest to Major League ready. He will be activated today if he can get to Washington in time. Even if he arrives mid-game, he will be immediately activated.
0 recs | 63 comments
Hope JJ comes back 100% healthy and that Kimbrel kicks some ass for us.
vooodooo - May 5, 2010
word
Chief Noc-A-Homa - May 5, 2010
Crap.
Scott Coleman - May 5, 2010
Let’s hope Medlen shows himself capable. A starter has to go. Time to get some LF help and not this platoon .250 crap.
deester11 - May 5, 2010
fuck
atl192485 - May 5, 2010
LMAO
deester11 - May 5, 2010
I wonder if Kimbrel sees the minors again this season
He needed to really work on his control to reach his potential and based on his AAA results so far he has. I could easily see him come in, dominate while he’s up and force his way into the team’s plans a little bit early.
Sucks to lose JJ but at the same time, it makes you realize just how nice it is to have a guy like Medlen in the pen.
was385 - May 5, 2010
Same here on Kimbrel...
curious to see how he’s used, and if he’s here to stay. Have to think he’s not going back down or else they could have brought up any number of others while keeping Kimbrel’s service clock at 0. Very interesting.
Mr. Sanchez - May 5, 2010
Bobby Cox
Cox raved about Kimbrel in ST. If Kimbrel keeps his walks down he’s up for good.
YouthofToday - May 5, 2010
So now Medlen has to replace Jurrjens and KK? That poor kids arm is gonna fall off.
10-4 - May 5, 2010
+1
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
Don’t forget he has to come in after Lowe blows for 5 innings.
FitzFan - May 5, 2010
I hope Jesse Chavez is ready to get sent down as soon as Jurrjens comes back because Kimbrel has been throwing the hell out of the ball and throwing strikes and if he throws strikes in the Bigs, he is here to stay.
jeg - May 5, 2010
u gotta be kidding, Chavez has been lights out dominant besides one outing, in which he probably shouldnt have been pitching multiple innings, especially after pitching the day before.
it makes much more sense to send down Venters, he is younger and has more options left and hasnt been pitching as well, with a 7 bb/9 and only a 5.6 k/9…. Chaves K/BB rate is nearly 4 time better, and has been relativley unhittable, besides one horrendous outing
Swo12bv - May 5, 2010
Ummmm….Venters’ ERA is under 2. Chavez’ ERA is over 5. ’Nuff said.
buzzdeadwax - May 5, 2010
Hahaha.
+a million!
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
Seriously
Gotta set these stupid stat-geeks straight.
buzzdeadwax - May 5, 2010
wait…you weren’t being sarcastic?
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
Yes
Sorry, sometimes I take the joke a little too far.
buzzdeadwax - May 12, 2010
Venters vs Chavez…
You made the case yourself, Chavez “probably shouldn’t have been pitching multiple innings.” Whose the long man in the pen? Forcing Medlen into that role limits the flexibility of the bullpen. Kimbrel and Chavez would have the same type of role and I’d anticipate Kimbrel outpitching Chavez.
jeg - May 5, 2010
Just so i dont make a mistake, who are u advocating should be long man, it seems you are against it being Medlen (and rightly so he’s too good to be wssted in that role.
Surely you aren’t suggesting Kimbrel be the long man. I would guess you think Venters would be the long man. Which I suppose makes the most sense..
So upon further reflection it does seem like Chavez is the odd man out, but I’d prefer to keep him in the pen use him as much as we can, show that he has talent and then if we need to make a deal near the deadline, include him as a throw in to up the ante (although thats probably a stretch of the imagination on my part)
I withdraw my disdain for your comment, It seems that even though Chavez has pitched well, they arent getting rid of O’Flaherty, Saito, Moylan, or Wagner…so that leaves Medlen, Chavez and Venters…Medlen has to stay and Venters is probably the best option as long relief… so cya Chavez
Swo12bv - May 5, 2010
Yeah, the last part of my post made it unclear but Venters is my preference for the role of long man. I suppose that its possible that Kimbrel could fill the role Medlen has filled and Medlen could slide into Venters’ long-man role should Venters struggle. Not to take away from Chavez, as he’s been very good but I think Kimbrel might be so dominant that we can’t justify sending him down. Bobby was all on his nuts in ST and if he’s throwing strikes like he has been in AAA, he’ll be in the bigs for good.
jeg - May 5, 2010
WHAR’S MANNY ACOSTA WHEN WE REALLY NEED HIM??
-C
cthabeerman - May 6, 2010
wasn’t jonny venters a starter last year at gwinnett? i feel like he should be the one spot-starting this saturday against the phillies.
phillies’ splits for this year:
vs. LH starter: .239 BA / .750 OPS / 4.57 runs per game
vs. RH starter: .274 BA / .787 OPS / 5.74 runs per game
atl192485 - May 5, 2010
This can't be...........
I thought he was supposed to be the Cy Young winner this year.
homerlanding - May 5, 2010
Get over yourself. The kid can’t get hurt? He’s been the rock for 2 years & has never been on the DL before.
FitzFan - May 5, 2010
J-Freak - May 6, 2010
Crap.
It displayed when I previewed it. Let’s try a different one.
J-Freak - May 6, 2010
Where does Kimbrel slot? Mop up? Seventh inning guy?
TradeAndruw - May 5, 2010
My guess is he’ll be in with Chavez and Venters as mopup/6th/7th/situational guys.
Obviously, Moylan is our primary 7th inning guy right now.
UMDBHIK - May 5, 2010
here comes Medlen
on my Fantasy team!
apoxonbothyourhouses - May 5, 2010
Loving this. Can’t wait to see Kimbrel in full nastiness.
UMDBHIK - May 5, 2010
Better a leg injury for JJ than something wrong with his arm. Make sure that leg is 100% before coming back though!
Sparhawk - May 5, 2010
Conditioning?
Between Chipper’s oblique and hip, Escobar’s groin and JJ’s shoulder and now his hamstring, we are dealing with a bunch of injuries early. Thankfully nothing looks too long-term, or people will start comparing us to the ‘09 Mets. I’ve been a little concerned about the teams conditioning, even mentioned the use of P90X by several players, why do they need a good, but “as seen on TV” conditioning program? Seems like a Professional Sports franchise with a $90 mil payroll would have a good enough conditioning program without the players going down this fast or having to buy “info-mercial” programs.
bighop - May 5, 2010
What does "as seen on TV" & "info-mercial" have to do with anything if it’s legit & it works?
FitzFan - May 5, 2010
It’s a smart ass way of saying I think the Braves should have a better conditioning program for their players. They make a lot of money, they have a lot of responsibility to the team.
bighop - May 5, 2010
Just because they are professional athletes does not mean they can’t sustain easy injuries. Athletes have millions of tiny muscles twitching during every play. Eventually something will get injured. The workout program doesn’t really matter too much. They aren’t major injuries, unless they continue to play with them.
Pavy848 - May 5, 2010
I agree, it just worries me that several have jumped up so early. We had a bunch last year too, Infante, Schafer, McLouth, Chipper, McCann, etc, it’s absolutely going to happen over a season, it just seems early to me.
bighop - May 5, 2010
Schafer got hit with a pitch on his wrist. Not sure what kind of conditioning program could have prevented that…
dunnytwogloves - May 5, 2010
Actually, I think it was Infante that got hit, Schafer hurt his wrist without being hit. My point, was we have had 5 muscular/joint problems in the 1st month of this season. Oblique, Hip, Groin, Shoulder, Hamstring…..
bighop - May 5, 2010
They should stretch more.
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
That’s what Brian said!
bighop - May 5, 2010
Hence the joke.
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
Zombieland Rule #18: Limber Up
-C
cthabeerman - May 6, 2010
+1
Smoltz's Beard - May 6, 2010
Anyone else somewhat surprised it’s Kimbrel called up and not someone like James Parr to fill in the long relief role? I’m thrilled to see Kimbrel get some experience, but wonder if it would not be better to keep getting him consistent late inning reps in AAA.
Doz - May 5, 2010
Anything to get him more 1-on-1 time with Wags.
Pavy848 - May 5, 2010
BINGO on the Wagner comment.
bighop - May 5, 2010
Wags will be done in one. Good
For Kimbrel to get here early
BeantownVol - May 5, 2010 via mobile
I hope, and maybe they hope too, that he’ll be too good to send back down. I’d like to see him groomed into a late inning role, although we have plenty of guys back there now. Venters can handle long relief for now I think.
ajones2522 - May 5, 2010
Scuse me
Where’s the game thread?
BeantownVol - May 5, 2010 via mobile
up your butt and around the corner
boom!
kreese555 - May 5, 2010
Dang
Someone is both revealing his age and managing to make me feel old…
J-Freak - May 6, 2010
i'm 26
in my head? yeah, bout 12
kreese555 - May 6, 2010
Patience, grasshopper...
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 5, 2010
might be a dumb question...
but doesnt “recall” mean that he’s been on the major league roster before? isnt this kimbrel’s first time in the majors?
ryan c - May 5, 2010
No, recall just means call up.
It isn’t like “calling again.”
justincredubil02 - May 5, 2010
Can’t swear to it, but I think it goes back to spring training, when he did not make the ML team he was “optioned to AAA,” or his contract was “sold to AAA” or something along those lines.
bighop - May 5, 2010
Doesn’t it just mean he’s on the 40 man roster? Since he’s on the 40 man he just has to be recalled. If they brought someone up who wasn’t on the 40 man, he would have his contract purchased. Still just a guess though.
ajones2522 - May 5, 2010
This isn't such a bad thing.
Jurrjens will only miss probably two starts, three at the most. And while he’s shelved, we’ll get a chance to see what Medlen can do in the starter’s role. Oh yeah, and Craig Kimbrel’s a beast. Hopefully he will be able to learn under Wagner and become an elite closer.
GouldisGold - May 5, 2010
Will this allow Marek to move up to Gwinnett? He has been virtually untouchable at AA. He is:
4-0, 4 SV, 13 IP, 7 H, 18 Ks, and only 1 walk.
His ERA is 0.00 and his FIP is 0.66, simply incredible numbers.
MatM - May 5, 2010
hmm
Trade Lowe to the Dodgers for cash and make Medlen a starter.
drumzalicious - May 6, 2010
clean up on aisle 10
drumzalicious - May 6, 2010
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