Kenshin Kawakami’s move to the Braves’ bullpen is temporary and not an indication of any disappointment in how the 34-year-old Japanese right-hander has pitched in his first season in the major leagues, general manager Frank Wren said.
“Kenshin’s pitched outstanding, for a guy coming over and going through the acclimation process in his first year,” Wren said. “He’s done a great job.”
Kawakami is 7-10 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 starts and has received the third-worst run support among major-league starters (3.32 runs per nine innings pitched). The Braves scored two runs or fewer while he was in 15 of his 25 starts.
The Kawakami bullpen decision was made by manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell, who sought to find the best way to utilize six starters since Tim Hudson returned to the rotation.
Kawakami has already pitched as much as he did in recent seasons in Japan, and Cox said this was a chance to give him extra rest while also reinforcing a fatigued bullpen.
Kawakami pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday in what he said was his first-ever relief appearance, other than injury-rehab appearances in Japan. He said he hadn’t been told when he would start again or what role he would fill the rest of the season.
When asked if he was OK with that, Kawakami smiled and said through his interpreter: “It’s almost like I have to be OK with it.”
Kawakami is finishing the first season of a three-year, $23 million contract.
Escobar targets Tuesday return
Shortstop Yunel Escobar said his sprained right ankle felt better Saturday and he expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday for the series opener at Houston.
Escobar left Friday’s game after injuring his ankle on a fourth-inning play when he lunged at first base trying to beat a throw from pitcher Bronson Arroyo. He turned his ankle on the edge of the base and limped off the field.
Arroyo’s throw hit him in the back, and Escobar was called for interference. Instead of having two runners on with one out, Adam LaRoche was called back to first and Escobar was out. The Braves trailed 1-0 at the time and lost 3-1.
Manager Bobby Cox was ejected after arguing that Escobar should not have been called out for interference. It was his second ejection in as many nights and the 150th of his career, extending Cox’s own major-league record.
Nunez added to bullpen
The Braves called up right-hander Vladimir Nunez from Class AAA Gwinnett and added the journeyman to their bullpen Saturday. Nunez had a solid 2.16 ERA in 45 games (two starts) at Gwinnett, with 79 strikeouts in 83-1/3 innings.
The Braves opened a spot for him on the 40-man roster by recalling center fielder Jordan Schafer from Gwinnett and placing him on the 60-day disabled list. He had wrist surgery last week and should be ready for spring training.
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