The Atlanta Braves' latest roster move is all about getting a suitable replacement for Jesse Chavez for the rest of the summer in Daysbel Hernandez.
Although seeing Jesse Chavez go on the 60-day IL is a tough pill to swallow, have you seen the stuff Daysbel Hernandez has coming out of the bullpen?
The Atlanta Braves made a few moves after Saturday night's close loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Saturday's starting pitcher in Allan Winans was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett. This allowed the right-handed reliever to be called up to make his MLB debut. Of course, it required Chavez to be placed on the 60-day IL with a shin contusion that is taking its sweet time to heal.
Welcome to the show, Daysbel!
Here is a bit of what he did for the Gwinnett Stripers earlier in the week out of their bullpen.
I expect for Alex Anthopoulos to be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline to improve the bullpen, but if Hernandez can provide a lift for them internally, then the Braves' system found another gem.
Atlanta Braves recall their Jesse Chavez replacement in Daysbel Hernandez
Braves manager Brian Snitker told David O'Brien of The Athletic that had Hernandez not undergone Tommy John surgery, he would have been part of the Atlanta bullpen dating back to last season. The Cuban defector will turn 27 years old in September. He has been in the Braves' minor league system since 2018. He has pitched in Rome, Mississippi and Gwinnett this season.
While the Braves have cooled off considerably after the All-Star break after an unforgettable June, the entire team needs to stay focused and realize all that could be ahead of them. This team is every bit capable of winning its second World Series Championship in three seasons. The Braves can get to a level most other teams can't, but the bullpen can cut their legs out from under them.
Although it remains to be seen if Hernandez's stuff will be as good at baseball's highest level, Anthopoulos needs to be aggressive in finding ways to improve this roster in the coming weeks. No, he should not pay a gross premium for a mid-level product, but any sort of effort on his end will be appreciated by all of Braves Country. As long as the team plays well, everything will be fine.
While not having Chavez around for the foreseeable future sinks, it is Hernandez's time to shine.
