A whole lot of Braves Transactions occurred this off day and all of them feel like a trickle down effect of what transpired yesterday.

Michael Soroka did not look sharp and while I don’t think most would have expected top-tier results, a 4.69 K/9, 5.5 BB/9, and 2.79 HR/9 stat-line isn’t going to endear oneself to the GM. So, yes. The expected happened. However, the expected comes with a double whammy, a surprise, and some serious speculating.

As expected after such a rough start, Soroka gets shipped back to Gwinnett, but I didn’t expect Max Fried to move to the 60-day IL. This still leaves hope that he could return right before the All-Star break, but I was hoping that we’d see him before that considering the good reports we’d been hearing lately.

In what looks to be a “break glass in case of emergency” move, the Braves claimed Lucas Williams. Williams can play all over the diamond, but has a bat that’s more waffle than whiffle. While I cannot speculate the “who”, I don’t understand the “why” to Williams. The Stripers team is now carrying 8 guys that can essentially play all over the infield. Something to keep an eye on, especially considering the condition of the rotation now that it’s back to 4 (or not). This also could simply be a replacement for recently retired Chad Pinder.

The move puts the Braves 60-day IL list to 6 players: Kolby Allard, Kyle Wright, Ehire Adrianza, Max Fried, Tyler Matzek, and Huascar Ynoa.

Could A.S.S. Be in Line to Start?

With Soroka hitting the IL, there’s speculation among the beatwriters that AJ Smith-Shawver could grab Soroka’s next start. That spot would take place on Friday at home. If I were a betting man, I’d wager that would be a good bet.

Braves Transactions: AA Set to Call Up Roddery Munoz

In a move that’s a bit of a shocker, Anthopoulos is calling up Roddery Munoz tomorrow to the MLB roster.

When my friend David Lee dropped the 70-grade fastball scouting report on Munoz, I immediately started paying close attention. The new rule states players can only be optioned 5 times in a season and Munoz is the benefactor. This call-up would’ve likely went to Danny Young, but he’s already been optioned 4 times. If optioned again, he would have to be placed on outright waivers. Munoz has not fared well at any stop this year, but there’s some pedigree here and I know that the Braves care less about the results in the minors and more about the development. Watching Munoz in the minors, it’s been clear to me that he’s working on off-speed development. In his last 11 innings pitched, he’s had great results but still walked 7 hitters. My guess is he’ll only be used in a blowout.

Justus Sheffield Finally Resurfaces on the Braves FCL Roster

About a month back, the Braves signed Justus Sheffield to an MILB deal. At the time, it was assumed that the FO sent him down to Florida to get some reps. What we got was crickets…until now:

I love when AA makes these types of deals. Justus Sheffield is a no risk/highish reward signing and is still pre-arb eligible. If the Braves can somehow get him right, it’ll be a steal.