Atlanta Braves news and links: Teheran/Freeman trade rumors and Tyrell gets called up

BRAVES NEWS

Braves have much easier time beating Reds on Thursday

After it took the Braves five hours and 13 innings (and a cycle from Freddie Freeman) to defeat the Reds on Wednesday night, things were much more run-of-the-mill on Thursday afternoon. That’s when the Braves beat the Reds 7-2 to split the four-game series. Matt Wisler had a good outing as he pitched into the seventh inning, and Freddie Freeman picked up where he left off by smashing another dinger during the game.

Heyman: Freeman and Teheran will probably be staying

Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran are once again at the center of swirling trade rumors, though this time it appears that the rumors are less bullish about their potential departure than the last time we heard rumors. According to Jon Heyman, the Braves don’t appear to be too enthusiastic about the idea of trading Teheran, and Freeman is back to being considered "off-limits." However, Heyman did mention that the Braves are trying to move Nick Markakis and Erick Aybar, so there’s that.

From Heyman’s column:

While many baseball people believe the Braves will trade Julio Teheran, it may not be at this juncture. With his long deal, they can wait. Once again, a Braves person said, flatly, "I don’t see the Braves trading Teheran." If they did entertain talks, they’d insist on a middle-of-the-order bat. While one rival GM says "he’s not the ace he was expected to be," he does have a 2.93 ERA … Do the Braves have an untouchable? Apparently they do. A Braves source insisted Freddie Freeman isn’t going anywhere. "Totally off limits," came the word. Teams apparently have gotten the hint, as there have been no calls on him (though it’s pretty early

Tyrell Jenkins gets called up

There’s been another high-profile call-up for the Braves, as the team has decided that the time is right for Tyrell Jenkins to join up with the major league squad. He’s been doing relief work for the G-Braves and that’ll be the role that he’ll fill on the big league squad, but don’t be shocked if you see him starting at some point down the road.

Tyrell’s peripherals will never wow anyone, but at his young age and lack of experience with all of the injuries accounted for, he should do quite well for himself. Tyrell is a premium athlete, and is making rapid improvements to his game that should help quickly. A guy named Bob Gibson broke into the major leagues at 25, with a walk rate over 4 per 9 innings and a strikeout rate below 7, and he turned out quite well. Jenkins shows a mid rotation ceiling, but given his control problems is more likely a back end guy especially given the depth in the Braves system.

MLB NEWS

Colby Lewis nearly pitches perfect game as Rangers beat A’s

Going into the eighth inning of their game against the A’s on Thursday afternoon, Colby Lewis had something pretty special going. He was on the cusp of throwing perfect game at that point, but a walk ruined that. He got through the eighth with the no-hitter still intact, but a fly ball that just barely eluded the glove of Nomar Mazara ended that bid as well. So, Colby Lewis just had to "settle" for a complete game shutout and yet another victory for the AL-leading Rangers.

Robin Ventura may be on the hot seat with the White Sox

The Braves weren’t the only hot topic of discussion in Jon Heyman’s latest column. Another nugget that Heyman shared in that piece was the fact that White Sox manager Robin Ventura may be entering his final days in that particular dugout. The crew at South Side Sox made sure to note that while they’re not surprised by the rumors, the fact that the national media is starting to pick up on it may be a sign of rough times to come for Ventura.