WASHINGTON - The Braves recalled right-hander Jacob Webb from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the open roster spot created when the team optioned left-hander Kyle Muller to Gwinnett following Thursday’s game.
Webb, 27, has a 4.74 ERA in 18 games for the Braves this season. He’s appeared in only two major-league games since May, pitching June 18 and July 7. The righty owns a 2.21 ERA across 20 games with Gwinnett, where he has a 28:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20-1/3 innings.
Muller was demoted after surrendering six earned runs on five hits during the Braves’ loss Thursday to the Reds. Still, Muller showed plenty of promise over his first eight career starts. The southpaw also recently rose into the top 100 of Baseball America’s prospect rankings.
“He is a very mature kid, he’s very confident,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Like I said last night, I told him, you’re not the first and won’t be the last that has to go back and regroup a little bit. I think going forward, he’s going to be a lot more aware of what he needs to do.”
The Braves (59-56) began a three-city trip Friday in Washington. They’ll face a trio of struggling clubs in the Nationals, Marlins and Orioles. It’s a prime opportunity for the Braves to continue building on their winning record.
Braves notes:
- The Braves had a 28-27 road record entering Friday. They’re one of five NL teams with winning road results, joining Milwaukee, Cincinnati, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Brewers, Dodgers and Giants own the three best records in the league, while the Reds are chasing the Padres for the NL’s second wild-card spot.
- Just 20 of the Braves’ remaining 47 games come against winning teams. They’ll play eight consecutive against winning teams - the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers - beginning Aug. 23. They end the season with six games against clubs currently with winning records in the Phillies and Mets.
- Second baseman Ozzie Albies hit his 80th career homer Thursday, setting the franchise record for his position. This season, Albies is second in the NL with 56 extra-base hits.
- More context on reliever Luke Jackson’s excellent season: The right-hander has a 90% left-on-base percentage, which ranks fifth lowest among qualified relievers. His 12.00 strikeouts-per-nine rank fourth best in MLB among pitchers with 44 innings logged. His 41 scoreless appearances are tied for 10th most in the majors.
- Weather permitting, the Braves were slated to face Nationals rookie Josiah Gray on Friday. They haven’t fared well against first-year starters, going 6-10 against rookies.
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