The Braves placed right-hander Jackson Stephens on the 7-day concussion IL and recalled fellow righty Jay Jackson, the team announced today. Per Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stephens has been diagnosed with a mild concussion. He suffered the injury when a Brendan Donovan liner ricocheted off his forehead in the ninth inning of the Braves’ blowout win over the Cardinals last night.
Should Jackson find his way into a game, it’ll be his first action with the Braves, though his recall marks his second stint with the big-league club this year. He had previously been called up when Max Fried went on the concussion IL earlier this month but did not enter a game.
In 56 1/3 innings in the majors across parts of three seasons with the Padres, Brewers, and Giants, the 34-year-old — who also spent three years pitching in Japan for the Hiroshima Carp — owns a 4.31 ERA (4.22 FIP) as well as a stellar 32.6% strikeout rate and a not-so-stellar 12.8% walk rate. He’s performed admirably in limited action for Triple-A Gwinnett this year, posting a 1.72 ERA in 15 2/3 innings with a 29.5% strikeout rate and a much more palatable 4.9% walk rate.
Stephens, who hadn’t appeared in a major league game since a 2018 stint with the Reds heading into the season, had been something of a revelation at the back end of a top-notch Braves bullpen. While bad luck against the Cardinals last night marred his season numbers somewhat, he still owns a 3.89 ERA (3.56 FIP) in 44 innings across 32 appearances. In a bullpen that also includes Kenley Jansen, A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek, Colin McHugh, and Raisel Iglesias (who essentially took the place of Will Smith), Stephens has mostly pitched in low-leverage situations, though not exclusively.
It isn’t yet clear how long Stephens will be out, but he’s probably a safe bet for the Braves’ postseason roster, presuming he’s back and ready to pitch by then. Jackson may benefit from the forthcoming expansion of rosters on the first of September, though the Braves have a pair of pitchers nearing return (Darren O’Day and Mike Soroka, who’s slated to make his third rehab start today as he works his way back from a pair of achilles tears) that could well create a roster crunch sooner than later, even with an extra spot available in the bullpen.
Furman University, eh? I “acquired” a bunch of records from their college radio station.
?
idiot
Sorry that he got hurt and hope he gets better soon. However he is a really crappy reliever. The Braves would be in first place by themselves if not for him and Day blowing so many games recently
Recently? O’Day has been on the DL for two months!
This is now the third pitcher the cardinals have put on the IL for non pitching injuries. It’s not a coincidence. I’d be throwing at their heads the rest of the year.
this is the d u m best post Ive seen. no batter can purposely hit a liner directly back at the pitchers head
Not to mention the Braves hit three right back up the middle in one inning against Montgomery last night, including one that almost took off his head. Tell me you don’t watch baseball without telling me you don’t watch baseball, lol
So, when rosters expand to 28 players, are we maxxed out at 14 pitchers? In other words, we can add one pitcher and one hitter?
That’s what I’ve heard, yeah.
Anyone have any thoughts on why Ozuna hasn’t been released? He really hasn’t contributed much in the last 2 years anyway. Seems to be a wasted roster spot at this point.
Probably gets the axe when Ozzie returns
or wait till after September 1st that way he can’t face the braves in the post season. Atlanta has already said they are waiting on the criminal charge in other words when he goes to court.
$?
For those that didnt see it the ball that hit Stephens hit his cap which has some padding in it and still carried 100 to 120 feet into RF but left a huge welt on his forehead. If that ball had got him in the face he would have had serious facial fractures.
The mph the ball jumped off Stephen’s head was higher than any hit by the Mets this season
MLB needs to allow and pitchers need to start wearing those hat inserts that protect the front, top, and sides of your head. It’s insane that they don’t. They are small, barely noticeable when you wear it, and provide a world of protection.
Can’t guys wear the Alex Torres hat?