Braves Pitcher Injured List
Braves Expect Martín Pérez on Injured List as Pitcher Injuries Mount, Ritchie to Replace
The Atlanta Braves are set to place starting pitcher Martín Pérez on the injured list, adding to a rough stretch of pitching injuries for the club, according to Myrtle Beach Online. The move comes after Pérez was struck by a line drive off the bat of New York Mets slugger Juan Soto during the fifth inning of a game against New York.
Pérez avoided serious harm from the comebacker, but the Braves are still expected to shut him down and put him on the IL, Bellingham Herald reported. Young right-hander JR Ritchie is likely to step in and fill Pérez's spot in the rotation.
Soto's Line Drive Forces Pérez Off the Mound
The scary moment happened in the fifth inning. Soto crushed a ball right back at Pérez, hitting the pitcher before he could get out of the way. Pérez stayed in the game briefly after the hit, San Luis Obispo Tribune reported.
Despite appearing to escape serious injury in the moment, the Braves decided not to take chances. Team officials expect to place Pérez on the injured list, ending his availability for at least the short term, according to The State.
Ritchie Poised to Step Into Atlanta's Rotation
JR Ritchie is the leading candidate to replace Pérez in the starting rotation. The young right-hander has been working his way up through the organization. His promotion would give him a chance to prove himself at the big-league level, News & Observer reported.
Ritchie's exact timeline for joining the rotation has not been confirmed. But with a roster spot opening up, the Braves are expected to make the move quickly to keep their pitching schedule on track, according to Idaho Statesman.
Braves' Starting Rotation Hit Hard by Injuries in 2025
Pérez is far from the only Atlanta starter to land on the IL this season. Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Joey Wentz have all missed time due to injuries, Charlotte Observer reported. The string of setbacks has put real pressure on Atlanta's depth.
Losing multiple starters forces a team to lean on younger, less tested arms. For the Braves, that means prospects like Ritchie must step up sooner than planned. How Atlanta manages its pitching staff could shape the rest of its season, according to Ledger-Enquirer.
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