The Braves have decided to shut down reliever Brandon Cunniff, as he has been dealing with groin pain for weeks. The injury has been diagnosed as a right groin strain. Cunniff has taken some heat along with the other members of the bullpen this season, but his numbers show that he has also been kind of unlucky. The rookie has a 4.50 ERA in his 30 appearances , but hitters are only hitting .202 against him. He even had a stretch where he retired 30 straight right handed batters. I like Cunniff’s potential in the bullpen, but he is going to have to improve against left-handers if he plans on having a lengthy career.
Sugar Ray Marimon gets the call up once again to offer a long-relief innings eater. We have seen Julio Teheran’s cousin struggle out of our bullpen this season, and he has gotten lit up nearly every time he has taken the mound. His arm is stretched out, as he has been starting for AAA Gwinnett.