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As expected after his rehab assignment went well, right-handed reliever Jordan Walden was activated from the 15-day DL and will be in the bullpen for the Braves today. Walden had been out of action since a rough outing on May 4th against the Giants, but the hamstring issues that had been dogging him since Spring finally became too much to deal with. Now, it seems clear that the hamstring is A-OK, and Walden will make his return after a month out of action.
Of course, this means that there's someone who has to go down to make room for the reliever who is currently sporting a 2.92 ERA and a 2.42 xFIP, and that is Opening Week starter-turned-bullpen hand Alex Wood.
Jordan Walden activated; Alex Wood optioned. Expect him to get stretched out & return to the #Braves rotation in a few weeks
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) June 10, 2014
Wood made 7 starts and 18 overall appearances so far this season, compiling a 3.43 ERA and a 3.30 FIP. Overall, this seems like the most sensible move to make, especially considering that it appears that Wood should be back in the rotation pretty soon.
As far as Walden is concerned, his return will surely be a sight for sore eyes considering the rough patch that the bullpen has gone through as of late.