Braves option reliever Gearrin back to Triple-A
Rather than parting ways with struggling veteran Scott Linebrink, the Braves decided to option rookie reliever Cory Gearrin back to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for Julio Teheran on the roster for his spot start Wednesday.
The Braves made the move after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Astros, in which Gearrin collected his first major league win, reinforcing the irony of the decision.
“It’s a shame,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He gets his first win in the major leagues, and we’ve got to make a player move to send him down.”
The sidearmer is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 appearances since he was called up April 22, pitching in key situations in the absence of Peter Moylan (back surgery).
Linebrink is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in 18 games, including a 9.64 ERA with a loss and a blown save in his past six games. But the Braves still owe Linebrink approximately $1.5 million.
The Braves sent Gearrin to Gwinnett encouraged that he pitched well and should “be ready” for a call to come back.
“Whenever they need me I’ll be ready to go again,” said Gearrin, who worked out of a bases-loaded jam with a double play in the top of the 11th, setting up Brian McCann’s walk-off heroics. “I was excited to get my first big league win. If you are going to go down, I guess that’s about as good a way to go.”
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73 comments Add your comment
jeffery
May 17th, 2011
7:23 pm
first about time
kev
May 17th, 2011
7:28 pm
happy jeffery? was is worth it?? moron
bbkorbel
May 17th, 2011
7:29 pm
jeffery? About time for your first first? Or about time they sent him down? I’m so confused!
kta
May 17th, 2011
7:29 pm
You send down the pitcher you use and keep the one you are afraid to use and don’t use. Today Fredi didn’t call for Linebrink. I guess tomorrow he will.
mathman
May 17th, 2011
7:33 pm
Only the Braves. Money. Money. Money. Everyone knows Gearin was the 4th best option in the bullpen behind Venters, Kimbrel, O’Flaherty. But, we send him out and keep the 7th best option who makes 5 mil. Performance doesn’t matter with the Braves.
Wren is a fool. Already eating 7 plus mil on KK and doesn’t want to eat another 5 mil on Linebrink. Or, another 1 plus mil on Sherrill or another 1 plus mil on Proctor. And, next year, we will go get another washed up bum with all of those good young pitchers in the bullpen in AAA such as Marek, Ascencio, Abreu, and Butts coming back from injury. Only Wren and the Braves.
And, now, Gearin is in the minors for at least 10 days barring injury. And, we will need another reliever on Thurs. Maybe Ascencio again. Or, maybe ole Frank finds another washed up bum for 2 mil and signs him.
SamHowe
May 17th, 2011
7:33 pm
Keep your head up, Cory, you’re a major league talent and will be back soon! Thanks for the great work.
As for YOU, Fredi… WTF?!?!?!??? Gearrin’s arm is the only thing that has staved us over with the absence of Moylan… you want Linebrink or Sherrill filling that gap in the 7th?? Ugh.
Ralph
May 17th, 2011
7:37 pm
Just goes to prove that the Braves Management are only interested in money, they could care less about winning so why should I. I would like to say that this is about the dumbest move I have ever seen them make but it isn’t but all the other dumb moves had the same motivation MONEY.
jaybob
May 17th, 2011
7:37 pm
Way to go jeffery! Welcome to the ‘FIRST!” Club. kev is just jealous.
I hope you did what I did when I finally got into the “FIRST!” Club…had a stiff, well-deserved drinkypoo.
Chief pitchanono
May 17th, 2011
7:39 pm
Yeah, hate it for the kid, but I think he will be back soon. Guess they are determined to give linebrink every opportunity, but I think he knows he has to get it together soon, because their is talent behind him who can get the job done. It may take a while for them to reach a dicision on linebrink because they are scared to use him right now. That means we have to wait for a blowout or lots of extra innings before he gets a shot. Go Braves!!
SamHowe
May 17th, 2011
7:42 pm
@ mathman: Agreed, I hate the move, but remember that the ChiSox are picking up $3M on Linestinks.
originalatlbravefan
May 17th, 2011
8:00 pm
guys you don’t understand baseball i guess. it’s common in this situation – early in the season – to keep the vet. In the long run you have both of them because Gearrin has options. You only make a move to cut Linebrink if you a) are certain he is done b) he think he will pass waivers c) you know for certain that no other reliever will get hurt this year. And you better be sure on a & b if you release a vet arm in May.
chas
May 17th, 2011
8:04 pm
i dont have a comment for such a stupid move
cs95
May 17th, 2011
8:09 pm
the braves should have a fantastic pen come august sept. with kimbrel, venters, EOF, gearrin, proctor, moylan, medlen, sherrill, martinez and maybe tehran.
Ralph
May 17th, 2011
8:09 pm
Thanks “original fan” for your brilliant assesment of the situation, I personally would rather win ball games.
ddoogg33
May 17th, 2011
8:24 pm
Enter your comments here
ddoogg33
May 17th, 2011
8:29 pm
hey i thought bobby suc— cox was gone but it looks like he still calling the shots for freddie thats probably why they hired him i had hoped he would come in and make a name for himself he done that in florida and got fired so i guess he come here to be a do boy damn freddie
retired
May 17th, 2011
8:37 pm
kev your a bitter bitter person.
Ralph
May 17th, 2011
8:38 pm
I don’t think Fredi calls the shots on who goes up and who goes down, When has that honor and he has to work everything to fit the budget.
ddoogg33
May 17th, 2011
8:51 pm
ralph stick to driving the bus u no thats a bobby suc– call if we ever seen it
ddoogg33
May 17th, 2011
8:56 pm
i got a question for anybody that wants to answer if baseball wonts more blacks in baseball 40 or 50 percent why dont we push for basketball i know its 90 to 10 percent black i think that evens out
yogi
May 17th, 2011
9:06 pm
Linestinks and Conrad are the Braves greatest flops. Not worth meal money. Maybe Linestink can pinch hit for Conrad and Conrad can pitch for Linestink. You will have the same results
Smack
May 17th, 2011
9:34 pm
Great attitude Cory!
Oregon Braves fan
May 17th, 2011
9:51 pm
I would rather the braves try to trade Linebrink, than just cut him. At least they can bring Gearrin back up later this season.
Art
May 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
Mr 20 era Linebrink survives. He better pitch like he should the next time out. Gearin has done great.
Roja
May 17th, 2011
10:42 pm
Amazing. You’d think that one of you geniuses would be managing at the AA level at least as much as you think you know about the workings of professional baseball….
NJ Choppin
May 17th, 2011
10:46 pm
Ignorance on here. Yes. Real comments: “Conrad greatest Braves flop”. I guess you only watched last year’s division series, and missed you know, all those games Conrad won by himself walking off. Like it or not, he is a huge reason the braves actually MADE the playoffs last season.
How can a BENCH guy be a greatest flop anyway? Ignorance, that’s how.
Gearrin has pitched well, but there are things called “options”, and Linebrink has none. They let him go, Philly picks him up and bites us in the ass. Linebrink turns it around, we look like idiots paying for him to do it against us.
Oh, then we call Gearrin back up and he starts to actually “look like a rookie”. All because of a poor first month or so for Linebrink.
I don’t know about other blogs, but the braves blogs seem to always be filled with the biggest kneejerk reactions and zero patience. We’re in MAY people. Sending Gearrin back down was the RIGHT move. He’s thrown 10.1 innings. Lets not put him in the HOF just yet.
NJ Choppin
May 17th, 2011
10:48 pm
Cmon, cards, walk it off baby, walk it off!
NJ Choppin
May 17th, 2011
10:49 pm
bot 9, runners at 1st and 2nd; Pujols up with no one out. Game tied. Cmon, Albert!
NJ Choppin
May 17th, 2011
10:50 pm
2-0 to Pujols. I bet they don’t give him shlt to hit.
bill maier
May 17th, 2011
10:50 pm
since when is freddi making the decisons on who to keep and who to send down– wren has the money and his pride invested in linestink
william maierut on all those home runs and doubles he give up in key situations--
May 17th, 2011
10:59 pm
Hey lay off linebrink has just been unlucky has not pitched that bad just some bad breaks i think the wind was blowinbg out on all those home runs and doubles he gave up in key situations, besides he is only 35 and can make some adjustments to turn it around– gearrin has a long time left to pitch in the majors so his time will come, i will not swallow my pride and admit i made a mistake on linebrink, just remember i stuck by greg norton in 2009 and looked how that turned out– i think more of my pride and not admitting im wrong- than us winning the division the manger and all the fans know that gearrin gives us a better chance to win than linebrink- just look at todays game as an example– but i am not going to eat that 1.75 million or have the two highest paid pitchers in the history of baseball pitching in the minors—
frank wren
May 17th, 2011
11:02 pm
the above comments are from me
frank wren
May 17th, 2011
11:08 pm
yes linebrink willturn it around just like he did last year with the white sox he got his era down to less than 5 i already made some inquires and no one wants linebrink and he would pass waivers because no one else wants him just like mather did– but i be darn if i will swallow my pride for the sake of the team
Mitchell
May 17th, 2011
11:10 pm
NJ Choppin
May 17th, 2011
10:46 pm
Ignorance on here. Yes. Real comments: “Conrad greatest Braves flop”. I guess you only watched last year’s division series, and missed you know, all those games Conrad won by himself walking off. Like it or not, he is a huge reason the braves actually MADE the playoffs last season.
How can a BENCH guy be a greatest flop anyway? Ignorance, that’s how.
Said it better than I ever could.
Mitchell
May 17th, 2011
11:11 pm
By the way, is anybody else completely incapable of seeing the Indians run total on the upper left-hand side of their screen on MLB Network?
What the hell is that? That scoreboard thing is cut right in half.
God that’s annoying.
bill maier
May 17th, 2011
11:17 pm
its only may linbrink will turn it around look at last year he got his era down under 5– so there is hope– after all he is only 35 and can make adjustments– look how good he was six years ago—- so we can keedp hoping that next time he comes in a tied game he will only give up tw or three runs instead of 4
Dumbfound
May 17th, 2011
11:19 pm
should have been Linestink !
Dumbfound
May 17th, 2011
11:45 pm
0 era Linebrink survives. He better pitch like he should the next time out. Gearin has done great Linkstink will be gone !
Dumbfound
May 17th, 2011
11:54 pm
Linestinks and Conrad are the Braves greatest flops. Not worth meal money. Maybe Linestink can pinch hit for Conrad and Conrad can pitch for Linestink. You will have the same results
2 worthless piece of…………………………….
N8
May 18th, 2011
12:58 am
Gotta love it when your GM compounds a horrible move with an even worse move.
Bottom line is that the Braves owe Linebrink 1.5 million for the rest of the year, whether they keep him or release him.
The only question left is whether you let his sh!t arm cost you games BECAUSE of the 1.5 million.
The answer to this 1st grade math problem should be: HELL NO!!!!
Ridiculous is putting it mildly.
stew
May 18th, 2011
6:14 am
I didn’t think too much of him. He got lucky Tuesday. The ump missed the call on the hit batsman or Cory would have had his second loss instead of his first win.
NickGranite
May 18th, 2011
8:08 am
Choppin, if we let Linebrink go and Philly picks him up, that helps the braves… and Stew, the umpire didn’t miss that call on the hit batsman. In slow motion, it was obvious the hitter lifted his elbow up to get hit, it was actually a great call.
kurula
May 18th, 2011
8:23 am
this article sucked to read first thing this morning. i figure by shedding linebrink and eating that money you are potentially buying yourself a few wins. he’s fredi gonazalez’s albie lopez. he will come into games where the braves are down 15-0 or up 9-0 and make it game. i mean, who is gonna wanna trade for this guy? and what are you going to get? my guess is they would trade him for a player to be named later. and then it would be linebrink they sent back. the only other option would be to make a trade at the deadline for a bat and just toss him in there and see if anyone notices.
The Scout
May 18th, 2011
8:38 am
This is lunacy !
By the All Star game Proctor, Linestink & Sherrill will be run out of town on a rail !
What is it with Braves’ management & these oldtimers in middle relief?
Lets use the young guys who have upside !
Bobby Cox
May 18th, 2011
8:44 am
Gee, Skip. Scotty Linebrink has been lights out in the simulated games. I wish I had last season. He’s just a kid at 35 and his ERA is only halfway to the moon. A few minor adjustments with Roger and he’ll be fine. Another great pick up by Frank Wren.
Terry Dunlap
May 18th, 2011
8:55 am
It’s all about the money. If you are going to lose, you might as well lose with your over paid pitcher…….I’m only a fan, not an owner…..Enough said…Go Braves Go
David O'Brien
May 18th, 2011
9:20 am
It’s all about the money. If you are going to lose, you might as well lose with your over paid pitcher…… — Terry Dunlap
Braves have been the league’s hottest team for three weeks and closed the gap to 1-1/2 games on the division lead. Good thing they don’t view things as pessimistically as some of their fans.
DC Brave
May 18th, 2011
9:37 am
Maybe Proctor and Easy E can hold down the 7th…Sherrill has pitched well at times…I’m not ready to give up on Proctor, but I too have enjoyed watching Gearin. Go Braves…only 1.5 out!!!!! Win 2 vs. the D-Backs and we might be in 1st….and this despite not yet hitting up to potential.
MattnAustin
May 18th, 2011
10:07 am
Hey you dopes, why don’t y’all stick to being dopes and let Freddy and Frank do their jobs. All you fair weather fans please take note…the braves farm system is STOCKED with pitching talent, but if you put a bunch of kids (not meant to be disrespectful) with no veteran presence then expect all these players to regress.
When you have a great farm system where you can make moves like this one while keeping veterans who know what it takes to be a big league pitcher, who can teach the youngsters and and turn them into pitchers rather than having to rely on, or put too much pressure on the shoulders of one or two guys then it should be considered a luxury.
Yes I am all for winning games, but I think it’s much more fun to win in September and October than in April and May.
We have a great nucleus, excellent starting pitching (probably the best in the bigs), and TONS of trade bait which is going to land us the key piece of the puzzle that is going to take us to the series this year.
I wish all you morons would just chill, and you other guys…GOOD STUFF!
para brave
May 18th, 2011
10:36 am
Heck we might as well trade EO for Charlie Morton and bring upKK.
Remarkable
May 18th, 2011
10:36 am
David, you can comment on the blog but not write it. What’s with this?
Fantasy Baseball Blog at beondeck.com | Fantasy Baseball Advice
May 18th, 2011
10:53 am
[...] Braves have recalled Julio Teheran for a spot start on Wednesday. posted by admin in Daily Fantasy News and have [...]
Chuck M.
May 18th, 2011
11:03 am
The money that they waisted on Linbrink And Sherrill,They could have had a very good right handed bat,most of the time I am in Wren”s corner,but that was a dumb move getting those two.They both had bad track records.We had enough young arms with out them.
Let's Go
May 18th, 2011
12:15 pm
If Linebrink does not turn his season around the Braves will release him but since the guy is a veteran they will give him more then a month and a half. They would only have to eat 1.5 mil so I don’t think it’s the money. Linebrink has been in the league long enough to know he is on notice so in the next 3 or 4 weeks it’s up to him to get it together.
Bigwheel
May 18th, 2011
12:16 pm
Frank isnt dumb. Obviously he knows who the better option is, but hes not going to cut linebrink, waste 1.5 so he can pitch for probably the phillies, only because teams dont have a full scouting report on gearrin.
mathman
May 18th, 2011
12:24 pm
Wren likes to lose and overpay veterans in the pen: Linebrink, Sherrill, Jesse C, and Farnsworth. Ring a bell?
Jonwan1353
May 18th, 2011
12:29 pm
The deal with Gearrin going down and Linebrink remaining just
proves that it’s a money thing and has nothing to do with winning.
The Braves don’t owe Linebrink anything but money. Gearrin is a
better pitcher and when the opportunity arrives he’ll be gone. Can’t
say that I blame him. MLB is now all about money and the fans and
players mean nothing.
Frank Wren
May 18th, 2011
12:55 pm
Y’all are still pissed because I gave away Rafael Soriano for Jesse Chavez !
Dorothy Davis
May 18th, 2011
1:20 pm
Sending Gearrin back to triple A and keeping Linebrink? Who is Linebrink sleeping with that keeps him in the Majors? Are you kidding me? Get a new “Bed Partner” !!!
travis
May 18th, 2011
1:33 pm
u guys are such dumbass’s… u talk about a couple of bad moves wren made but u dont talk about the good moves… 2 prospects for tim hudson, 2 prospects for D lowe, jesse chavez for beachy, bob howrey for o’flaherety, or even 2 prospects for jurrjens… so if u guys wanna run ur mouth about wren for his bad moves u should probably look at his good moves.
Heisenberg
May 18th, 2011
1:57 pm
What is up with all the cussing getting by the blog police? Every time i mention a certain agent who currently represents 3 Braves pitchers by name, I get censored.
FOOTWRIGHT
May 18th, 2011
2:00 pm
The kid got it his control is there, he’s young and can’t help but shine in Triple A or the Biggs. I would have love to seen him stay cause Linebrink might not recover but you gotta give him a chance.
bill maier
May 18th, 2011
2:09 pm
travis your right i hpoe you are just trying to be funny beachy was signed by our scouts– ohflaherty was picked up on waivers– under schuerholz but it was edgar reinteria for jj– and i believe schureholz was still gm when we got jj and signed hudson as a free agent and lowe was signed a s a free agent? but garrett anderson, glaus, linebrink. proctor, greg norton– mclouth, you can give wren credit for those great moves– if you werent trying to be funny then i would check my facts before you call other braves fans dumbass- as you turn out to be what you call others
ijudgenot
May 18th, 2011
2:14 pm
I know Linebrink has had more chances and has stunk up the place, but Sherril who was supposed to be a “lefty specialist” has done zip! He could not even get the opposing pitcher out the other day and then let the next hitter get an infield hit because he was slow of the mound. If anyone should go it is him. Freddie, like Cox, rarely uses a reliever for just one batter like some managers do. He used him the other day because the pitcher was leading off followed by a left handed hitter. Maybe Freddie was going to take him out after that anyway but Sherril could not get either out.
bill maier
May 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
yes linebrink will turn it around just like he did last year with the white sox? sticka fork in him he is done wren may not know it but baseball people knopw it the white sox jumped at the chance to get rid of him payin 3 mill of his salry just to do so
hoochbear
May 18th, 2011
3:08 pm
..Who is gonna make it?
We’ll find out in the long run..
when are the best needed?
why in the Fall, u dorks
Jay Dubu
May 18th, 2011
4:28 pm
The test will be whether Freddy uses him in situations where the game is in the balance.
If he’s only going to pitch when the game is a lost cause, (Braves so far ahead, or so far behind it doesn’t matter) then is he the most economical option?
With the Braves playing the way they are, every game is going to be close, so either Freddy has to trust him, or get off the team.
bd
May 18th, 2011
4:52 pm
If he is a 1.5 mil loser in the majors why not make him a 1.5 mil loser in the minors and promote the winner. the payout is the same but with a better chance to catch the Phillies!!!! “But it is in the contract” clause…
Reid in EAV
May 18th, 2011
5:08 pm
Good words, *DOB*, but you forgot to put quotes around the word “fans.”
TNScott
May 18th, 2011
5:12 pm
Another Braves move that makes no sense. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Ticked Off
May 18th, 2011
7:31 pm
Get Rid Of LINESTINK – he is worthless!!!!!! Let him go screw up in some body elses bullpen! He is a disgrace.
Rick
May 18th, 2011
8:20 pm
Frank Wren sucks!!!
$$$$$$$$ over wins and fans.
More of the same.
nick p.
May 18th, 2011
8:36 pm
like the terminator, He’ll be back!