Braves News World

Macay McBride, the Braves’ #1 draft pick in 2001, has been called up from Triple-A Richmond. Whether McBride is in the majors to stay remains to be seen. McBride may just be a stopgap solution until the Braves deal for a replacement for the recently-traded Kevin Gryboski. On the other hand, the addition of McBride does give the Braves two left-handers (John Foster being the other) in the bullpen, a luxury the Braves have not enjoyed this season. McBride has a 4.17 ERA thus far this season but has allowed only 2 earned runs in his last 12 2/3 innings pitched. He will be the 14th rookie to play for the Braves this season!

The Braves have traded reliever Kevin Gryboski to the Texas Rangers for right-handed minor league pitcher Matt Lorenzo. Gryboski had been in the Braves bullpen since 2002, longer than any other reliever on the team. He has posted a disastrous 8.31 ERA this month and shown a penchant for allowing inherited runners to score all season. With veterans Jim Brower and Jay Powell emerging as dependable relievers for the Braves, Gryboski had become expendable. This move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for John Thomson who was recently placed on the 60-day disabled list but is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment next week. The trade is also thought by many to be a precursor to the Braves dealing for a reliever or possibly even calling up highly touted fireballer Joey Devine, the Braves’ 2005 1st round draft pick who is excelling in the minors.

Matt Lorenzo will be assigned to the the Class A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Lorenzo, the the Rangers’ 5th round draft pick in 2003, has compiled an unimpressive 4-9 record and 5.47 ERA thus far this season between Double A Frisco and Class A Bakersfield.