ATLANTA -- Once the Braves determined Gordon Beckham will likely need more than a week to fully recover from a strained left hamstring, they took advantage of the opportunity to add a long-relief option to their bullpen.
The Braves placed Beckham on the 15-day disabled list on Monday and recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Weber from Triple-A Gwinnett. Weber will provide the Atlanta bullpen the depth that it lacked on Sunday, when Tuesday's scheduled starter Matt Wisler made an emergency relief appearance that resulted in a perfect 10th inning and his first career save.
Beckham strained his left hamstring as he ran to first base during the sixth inning of Saturday's win over the Marlins. The veteran infielder will be eligible to be activated on May 2.
With Beckham sidelined, the Braves lose a right-handed hitter who can serve as a pinch-hit option or play second base. But there is currently a greater need to carry a long-relief option, an asset the Atlanta bullpen has lacked since John Gant was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on April 10.
With Arodys Vizcaino and Chris Withrow both unavailable on Sunday, the Braves essentially worked with five relievers, including their two left-handers -- Eric O'Flaherty and Hunter Cervenka -- who combined to face three hitters and record one out. Once Jason Grilli blew a save opportunity with two outs in the ninth, manager Fredi Gonzalez was forced to call upon Wisler, who needed just six pitches to complete the inning.
Though Wisler proved to be quite efficient with his first career save opportunity, the Braves have still opted to push his start back two days. Thus, Wisler will now match up against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon.
Weber allowed two earned runs or less in three of the five starts he made after he was an unexpected addition to the Atlanta rotation in September. The 26-year-old right-hander has surrendered five hits over the 8 1/3 scoreless innings he has totaled for Gwinnett this year.