The Braves might find more help for their bullpen by looking to the the starting pitching rotation at Triple-A Gwinnett.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said the team has discussed the possibility of using one of the starters at Gwinnett as a reliever with the big-league club.
“We have talked about those options and the timing of it,” Gonzalez said Wednesday. “I’m a believer in that. (VP) John Hart and (assistant GM John Coppolella) are believers in that. You develop your sixth or seventh starter out of the pen.”
Gonzalez didn’t mention any specific candidates for such a move, but the most likely contenders are right-hander Matt Wisler and left-hander Manny Banuelos. Neither player has pitched in the majors.
Wisler, 22, was part of the trade haul the Braves got from the Padres in April for Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. He’s 3-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 11 stars for Gwinnett this season.
The Braves acquired Banuelos, 24, in a January trade with the Yankees and he’s 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 starts for Gwinnett. Banuelos missed the 2013 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Braves entered Wednesday with the worst bullpen ERA in the NL. They blew 11 saves in 29 chances and relivers had 13 losses against 10 wins.
The Braves recently added veteran David Aardsma to the bullpen after signing Nick Masset last night.
