:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63404828/1041442494.jpg.0.jpg)
In a season that figures to feature a lot of pitcher shuffling between the major league club and Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves have made a move:
The #Braves today recalled RHP Touki Toussaint from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned RHP Kyle Wright to @GoStripers.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 13, 2019
Both Kyle Wright and Touki Toussaint made their major league debuts in 2018, but Wright was chosen to start the year in Atlanta’s rotation given injuries to other players. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t fare very well, allowing 11 runs in 14 innings of work across three starts. The season started poorly for him as he was devoured by the Phillies (4/5 K/BB ratio, three runs, didn’t make it out of the fifth, allowed a homer), rebounded somewhat against the Marlins (4/1 K/BB ratio, two runs, six innings, but both runs came on homers), and then got much worse last night against the Mets, as he yielded six runs while getting just 11 outs, with a once-again-below-1 K/BB ratio (3 strikeouts, 4 walks) and another homer allowed. His line was made worse by being hung out to dry the third time through the lineup against a bevy of lefties, but he hadn’t fared well up to that point either.
Kyle Wright finishes his first big league stint of 2019 with an ugly 7.07 / 7.63 / 5.93 pitching triple-slash (ERA/FIP/xFIP). He’ll work on his craft or just bide his time in Triple-A Gwinnett, though hopefully the former, until the Braves need him once again.
Touki Toussaint, meanwhile, made five starts and two other relief appearances down the stretch last year, and even made Atlanta’s playoff roster. But, command was an issue throughout his appearances, as he walked an unlivable 17 percent of all batters he faced. He didn’t make the Opening Day roster and has had just one appearance at Gwinnett so far, where he issued four walks in three innings of work. He’ll presumably work out of Atlanta’s bullpen for the time being.
This move deepens Atlanta’s relief corps, which might be a little drained despite Wednesday’s unexpected offday after using four relievers on Thursday and five on Friday in two games that weren’t particularly close. Toussaint may be sent back down to the minors if and when the Braves activate Mike Foltynewicz from the Injured List.