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Marimon called up to bolster taxed bullpen

BOSTON -- Looking to bolster a taxed bullpen, the Braves optioned outfielder Todd Cunningham to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon from Gwinnett on Monday. The move gives the club eight relievers for its two-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, which will require use of the designated hitter.

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"With the DH these next two days, we needed an arm, a guy in the bullpen to help us out," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Braves squandered a five-run lead in Sunday's 10-8 loss to the Mets in large part because of the struggling bullpen, which combined to give up four runs over 3 2/3 innings. The unit entered Monday with the worst ERA (4.64) in the National League.

Needing starter Williams Perez to pitch one relief inning during an extra-innings win on Saturday also factored into the decision. Marimon's addition provided the Braves with added protection during Perez's start on Monday.

"[We're] throwing a kid today that had to save the game for us Saturday," Gonzalez said before the game.

Marimon made his Major League debut on April 14, when he allowed two runs over four relief innings against the Marlins, and he went on to post a 6.14 ERA in four appearances.

The 26-year-old Cunningham had been scuffling at the plate since earning a callup last month, hitting .239 with just four extra-base hits (all doubles) in 71 at-bats.

Worth noting
• Gonzalez said he is leaning toward using Chris Johnson as the DH against Boston lefty Wade Miley on Tuesday. Braves designated hitters went 4-for-9 in their only other Interleague road series this season (Toronto) after hitting a collective .189 at the position from 2012-14.

Alec Shirkey is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Atlanta Braves, Todd Cunningham