Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has elected free agency after clearing waivers, leaving the team without a starting pitcher. Rookie right-handers JR Ritchie and Dider Fuentes are potential candidates to fill the void for the upcoming game on April 21.
Braves lefty elects free agency, leaving two rookies to fill the void originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves will be down one starting pitcher moving forward, as left-hander Martin Perez has elected to become a free agent.Ā According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Perez cleared outright waivers after getting designated for assignment by the Braves on Sunday.
Perez threw five innings against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, where he allowed one earned run and struck out two, and walked three. Since Perez has 15 years of service time in the big leagues, he could refuse to go to the minor leagues ā players with five or more years ofĀ service timeĀ can refuse outright assignments.
Since Perez is now a free agent, the Braves need a starting pitcher for April 21. According to Bowman, rookie right-handers JR Ritchie or Dider Fuentes could get the start.
More News:Braves continue to cycle through arms as the pitching staff heals
Fuentes, 20, is the likely option to get the start for the Braves, as he made the Opening Day roster and is on the 40-man roster. In one relief appearance for the Braves, Fuentes threw four innings, struck out four, walked one, and allowed one earned run. Since joining Triple-A Gwinnett, he hasn't allowed an earned run in two starts and struck out 15.
As for Ritchie, 22, he could be an option, but he would need to get added to the Braves' 40-man roster to get called up. In four starts with Gwinnett, Ritchie has also done well, going 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA and striking out 20 in 21.1 innings.
More News:
Martin Perez elected free agency after clearing outright waivers, which allowed him to refuse a minor league assignment due to his 15 years of service time.
Rookie right-handers JR Ritchie and Dider Fuentes are potential candidates to start for the Braves in place of Martin Perez.
The Braves are scheduled to need a starting pitcher for their game on April 21 following Martin Perez's departure.
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