When Casey Kelly took the hill in extra innings last night, he probably did so knowing that that appearance would likely be his last with the Braves at least for the time being. After starting on the 22nd and throwing 85 pitches, the Braves were forced (due to some questionable bullpen management and the inability of many of the relievers to be effective for a decent stretch...looking at you Bud Norris) to bringing Kelly in from the bullpen in extra innings where he threw another 76 pitches. This meant that his next "turn" in the rotation on Saturday was just never going to happen. The Braves made a roster move today making his demotion official.
#Braved RHP Casey Kelly was optioned back to @GwinnettBraves. RHP Chris Withrow was recalled.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 26, 2016
In three appearances with the Braves this season, Kelly sports a 3.75 ERA and 5.34 FIP while striking out two batters in 12 IP this season.
Chris Withrow returns to the Braves after a stint in AAA where he did not give up an earned run in any of his 9 appearances. The Braves hope he will bolster what has been a fairly disappointing Braves bullpen thus far. Before his stint in AAA, Withrow had made 10 appearances with the Braves with a 3.86 ERA and 6.38 FIP while striking out 4 batters in 7 IP total.
The move, in conjunction with wunder-prospect and overall good guy Tyrell Jenkins getting his start moved due to rain, means its likely that Aaron Blair will be rejoining the Braves and making a start on Saturday.