Braves pitcher Matt Marksberry is no stranger to Turner Field.
So, it came to no surprise when he was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday to replace pitcher Aaron Blair.
“It is a great feeling and the opportunity is always good to come and help the team out,” Marksberry said on Saturday.
Blair was sent down after posting a 10.22 ERA in his last eight starts. He also surrendered eight home runs and 20 walks in his last 34 1/3 innings.
“As far as Aaron (Blair) goes, I told him sometime you got to step out of the fray a little bit to take a step back to take two steps forward. After experiencing everything that he has, I think he can become a really good self-evaluator when he is down there.”
Marksberry has played with the Braves this season. He pitched in one game on May 23 against the New York Mets. He gave up a run and recorded a strikeout in his one inning of work.
Since his last appearance, He has used his time in Gwinnett wisely. The left-handed pitcher has worked on his mechanics and has found more confidence in his breaking ball.
“It has been just able to throw it behind in counts when I want to and to have it as a good put away pitch when I need to.”
Marksberry has also worked on being more precise in his delivery. In Gwinnett, he owns a 2.84 ERA and has allowed only eight runs all season. He hopes to continue that success in Atlanta.
“I have been a little more consistent in my fastball command and working on my off-speed a little more,” he said. “I have been getting ready to get lefties out.”
Against lefties, he was limiting opposing hitters to a .213 batting average at Triple-A. In the month of June, he was more effective. He allowed four extra-base hits and only three runs have been scored against him.
His ability to get lefties out has intrigued to Braves interim manager Brian Snitker. He has decided to put him in the rotation of lefties that the Braves now have. Marksberry makes the fourth left-hander in the bullpen.
“I have confidence in all those guys to be able (to pitch one or two innings) to do that,” Snitker said. “Left, right or whatever, the guys that we have shown the ability to pitch against right-handers and left-handers and you need them to do that.”
Marksberry could have his chance against the Mets this weekend. He says that he will be ready in case his number is called.
“Everybody is going to get the little butterflies,” he said. “I don’t think there is a guy pitching that doesn’t get jacked up when their name gets called. I have been there and I know I can do it. It is one of those things where I just have to stay calm.”
