Lucas Sims is back in the Braves bullpen.
The team recalled him from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, and optioned lefty Max Fried back to Gwinnett in a corresponding move.
Sims, 23, has pitched in just one-third of an inning in the majors this season, allowing two hits and three runs to the Mets. He’s made three starts in Triple-A, accumulating a 1.46 ERA, striking out 16 and walking 10 in 12-1/3 innings.
Fried pitched six innings in the majors, allowing four earned runs. Each of his four appearances came out of the bullpen. Sending him back to Triple-A allows him to start and pitch more consistently.
Sims gives the Braves a fresh arm in the bullpen after Fried pitched back-to-back nights.
“He needs to go down there and pitch, not be mopping up games for us,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of optioning Fried. “He provided the length, but it gets to the point – he did a good job, he went back-to-back for the first time ever, so he was going to be down for a couple days anyway. That’s why we brought Lucas back. He’s gassed up and ready to go.”
