Braves reliever Anthony Varvaro was placed on the paternity list Wednesday in anticipation of the birth of his second child and right-hander Gus Schlosser was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place in the bullpen.
Varvaro can stay on the paternity list for up to three days but manager Fredi Gonzalez said Varvaro told him he could be back as soon as Thursday. Gonzalez said labor was induced on Varvaro’s wife on Wednesday in Atlanta.
“Anthony has kept me abreast of the whole situation when it started getting closer,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve got our fingers crossed… . We wish her the best of luck.”
Schlosser is back with the Braves after starting the season on the big-league roster. He’s appeared in a combined 10 games during two stints with the Braves while posting a 4.50 ERA with seven hits allowed, six strikeouts and four walks in 12 innings.
Schlosser has been part of Gwinnett’s starting rotation. Gonzalez said the Braves needed a reliever who can throw multiple innings after Braves’ bullpen was taxed by the 6-5 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday. Starter Mike Minor lasted just three-plus innings so David Hale pitched three innings, David Carpenter two innings and Varvaro one inning.
“(Schlosser) was pitching good and we kind of needed a long (relief) guy,” Gonzalez said. “We needed a guy who could give us some length so he’s the guy.”
In 15 games with Gwinnett this season, including 13 starts, Schlosser is 6-5 with a 3.65 ERA.
“I made some strides down there,” Schlosser said. “I’ve been going back and forth between the bullpen. I even made a relief appearance when I got back down after a double header. Overall it’s been good. Still working on my change-up a lot and I think it’s gotten better and better each time out.”
