Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino, two of the Braves’ top pitching prospects, were named to the Futures Game on Thursday by Major League Baseball.
Both will pitch for the World Team in the minor league all-star game July 10 in Phoenix, which kicks off the Major League All-Star festivities. The Futures Game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.
This is the second selection for Teheran, whom Baseball America considers the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball. Teheran pitched a scoreless inning of relief in last year’s Futures game.
Teheran has made two spot starts in the majors this season, going 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA in starts against the Phillies and the Diamondbacks. He is 7-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Vizcaino ranks as Baseball America’s 93rd overall prospect and likely is that low only because of a history of injuries. But Vizcaino has bounced back from elbow troubles a year ago, and he impressed the Braves with his electric fastball in spring training.
He earned a promotion to Double-A Mississippi after going 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA in nine starts for Single-A Lynchburg. He has made four starts for Mississippi, going 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA, while holding opponents to a .202 batting average. He has 27 strikeouts and only eight walks in 25 2/3 innings.
Braves claim reliever
The Braves claimed left-handed reliever Dustin Richardson off waivers from the Florida Marlins and have assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Braves wanted some left-handed depth for their bullpen. Left-hander Eric O’Flaherty has struggled some with periodic back pain.
Richardson is a former fifth-round draft choice of the Red Sox in 2006 and was traded to Florida this past offseason for left-hander Andrew Miller. The Marlins designated him for assignment last week to open a spot on their 40-man roster for Dewayne Wise.
Richardson went 3-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 23 relief appearances for the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate New Orleans. Lefties were hitting .341 off him, with 15 hits in 10 2/3 innings, while he limited right-handers to a .208 average, with 16 hits in 21 1/3 innings.
Richardson was assigned to the Braves’ 40-man roster, which had an open spot.
