WASHINGTON – The Braves churned the bullpen again before Thursday’s series opener against the Nationals, recalling right-hander Akeel Morris from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioning Matt Wisler back to Gwinnett one day after recalling him.
Wisler came up Wednesday after reliever Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the 10-day disabled list for a strain in his right index finger. Wisler gave up three runs in two innings of a 10-4 loss to the Astros on Wednesday and the Braves sent him back in order to get a fresh arm in the bullpen entering a four-game series against Washington at Nationals Park. Morris joined the Braves in Washington on Thursday.
Morris, 24, is a former Mets prospect from the U.S. Virgin Islands who was traded to the Braves for Kelly Johnson and cash June 8, 2016. He was recalled by the Braves last season in August but spent just one day with the major league team and didn’t pitch in a game before he was optioned back to Double-A Mississippi.
He has a 2.17 in 26 appearances this season in Double-A and Triple-A, with 47 strikeouts and 18 walks in a combined 37 1/3 innings. Morris had four saves in six appearances at Mississippi and posted a 2.73 ERA in 20 appearances for Gwinnett with 37 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
Morris pitched in one major league game for the Mets in June 2015, giving up three hits and five runs while recording one out.
