It’s been just three weeks since Cory Rasmus was sent back to Triple-A a bit shell-shocked after getting hit hard in each of his first two major league relief appearances, but the right-hander is eager for another opportunity to face big-league hitters.
Rasmus could get it after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett as the Braves’ 26th man for Tuesday’s split doubleheader with the Mets at Turner Field. He gave up five hits, five runs and three walks in 3-2/3 innings of games against Minnesota on May 22 and at Toronto on May 27.
“I feel way more confident now,” said Rasmus, who was notified late Sunday and reported to Turner Field on Monday. “Before I was more nervous, and I guess you could say a little bit scared, to see what was going to happen. Now I feel a lot more relaxed and I’m like, you know what, I’m going to go out here and make some things happen.”
Under the 26th-man rule that went into effect last season, teams are permitted to add an extra player to their active major league roster only for a split doubleheader, when separate admission is charged for each game and the stadium cleared between games. The roster must be reduced to 25 players again after the doubleheader.
The Braves added Rasmus, since he was already on the 40-man roster and got some major league experience last month. He gave up three homers in two games in his first stint with the Braves, which is three times as many as he’s allowed in 25 appearances this season at Gwinnett.
A native of Phenix City, Ala., and younger brother of Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus, Cory said he realizes now that he needs to be himself and trust the talent that got him to this level. He has a 1.44 ERA, seven saves and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings this season in Triple-A.
“Pitch aggressively and make things happen,” he said. “I feel a lot more confident, a lot more relaxed. So hopefully I’ll see some better results.”
