After struggling in Thursday’s start against the Cincinnati Reds, Kyle Muller will be optioned back to Triple-A by the Atlanta Braves before they head out on a nine-game road trip which will get underway Friday. Brian Snitker delivered the news following Thursday’s 12-3 loss to the Reds.
“It’s just all part of the growth process and the maturation process of a young pitcher,” Snitker said of the decision to demote Muller. “Most of the time, most of those guys just don’t arrive and are the finished product. He’ll go back and he’ll know more about what he needs to work on.”
Muller failed to get out of the third inning allowing five hits, three walks and six runs in just 2 1/3 innings. It was the second consecutive start where Muller struggled to command his fastball.
The Braves will likely add a fresh arm to the bullpen and this opens the door for Huascar Ynoa to return to the rotation when Muller’s spot comes back up. Snitker confirmed that was the most likely scenario but stopped short of confirming.
Ynoa made his third rehab start Wednesday night at Gwinnett four hits, four walks and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He threw 83 pitches with 51 going for strikes. Ian Anderson also made a rehab start Wednesday but will likely need at least one more outing before he will be ready to return to the rotation.