Injuries & Moves: Matzek placed on IL; Kerr recalled
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May 7: LHP Tyler Matzek placed on 15-day injured list; LHP Ray Kerr recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett
The Braves are hoping Matzek is just dealing with some of the same discomfort many pitchers experience after returning from Tommy John surgery. Matzek missed all of the 2023 season after undergoing the procedure in October of 2022. He has posted a 9.90 ERA and his four-seamer has averaged 93.6 mph through 11 appearances. His four-seamer averaged 96 mph in 2021, his most recent healthy season. Kerr may be asked to handle some multi-inning appearances. He had a 2.45 ERA in eight relief appearances for Gwinnett before allowing four runs in three innings during a start on May 1.
May 4: RHP Pierce Johnson placed on IL; RHP Jackson Stephens recalled; LHP Angel Perdomo transferred to 60-day IL
Johnson was placed on the 15-day injured list, backdated to May 1, with right elbow inflammation.
Stephens was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. In 2023, Stephens made five appearances for the Braves with an ERA of 3.00. He had spent the entirety of 2024 in Gwinnett, with a strikeout rate of 12.5 K/9 over 9 1/3 innings and Braves manager Brian Snitker said he has the ability to go multiple innings at a time.
“He has the ability to pitch in any situation we need him to,” Snitker.
To make room on the 40-man roster, Perdomo, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was moved to the 60-day IL.,
10-day/15-day IL
LHP Tyler Matzek (left elbow soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Matzek posted a 9.90 ERA and produced some concerning hard-hit metrics over 11 appearances. The Braves are hoping he is just going through one of the phases that often follows Tommy John surgery. He'll be given at least a couple weeks to rest his arm. (Last updated: May 7)
RHP Pierce Johnson (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Late May
The Braves are down a key bullpen arm as Johnson was placed on the injured list, backdated to May 1. Johnson has 16 strikeouts in 12 innings this season. He posted a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances with the Braves last season after being acquired at the Trade Deadline.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said that for now, Johnson's injury will not require an MRI.
“It’s just rest more than anything.”
“It’s a good bullpen, and he’s one of the reasons why,” Snitker said. “So it’s tough to lose a guy like that.” (Last updated: May 4)
C Sean Murphy (left oblique tightness)
Expected return: Early May
Murphy has progressed to swinging a bat and hitting off a tee in his rehab. He is continuing catching drills, as well. He is still in the beginning stages of his rehab, Braves manager Brian Snitker said, and does not yet have a set timeline to return. The 2023 All-Star catcher suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain -- the least significant grade -- when he swung and missed a pitch against the Phillies on March 29. (Last updated: May 3)
RHP Spencer Strider (right ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: 2025
After visiting Dr. Keith Meister on April 8, Strider underwent internal brace surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on April 12 and will miss the rest of the 2024 season. (Last updated: April 13)
60-day IL
LHP Angel Perdomo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Perdomo was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 4. He is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and will miss the entire 2024 season. (Last updated: May 4)