The Atlanta Braves are keeping their options open with regards to triple-A starting pitcher Chris Resop. The team has until June 15th to either call him up to the Major Leagues or offer him his release. Here is the note from the Braves Minor League site:
The Braves are still evaluating the trade market for Chris Resop. But if they don't gain an attractive offer soon, they will certainly promote the right-handed pitcher before the June 15 deadline that contractually obligates him to request a trade.
With Jesse Chavez struggling mightily, there's a sense that Resop could be promoted within the next few days to assume Chavez's bullpen spot.
But the Braves will certainly wait to make this move until other organizations get a chance to get another look at Resop during Thursday night's start against Triple-A Norfolk.
Resop has gone 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 12 starts with Gwinnett this year. Opponents have hit .200 against the 27-year-old right-hander and he has recorded 73 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.
If the Braves don't receive an attractive trade offer, they also could opt to keep Resop around in case they eventually opt to remove Kenshin Kawakami from their starting rotation.
It's clear that Atlanta's preference is to trade Resop. They have had several opportunities to call up the right-hander for the Atlanta bullpen, but have instead opted for Cristhian Martinez and Craig Kimbrel, while still keeping the struggling Jesse Chavez on the 25-man roster.
If they choose to trade him, there's no telling what the Braves may get for Resop, who up until this year was a journeyman middle reliever who spent the last year in Japan. While he seems to have turned a corner, there may be a doubt that Resop can translate his triple-A success into Major League success. But he does posses an above average fastball and has been able to locate it this season. He is especially tough against right-handed batters, which he has held to a .177 batting average this season. Resop makes what could be his final start tonight in Norfolk.