The Braves have activated right-hander Darren O’Day from the 60-day injured list. The team created a 40-man roster spot by recalling catcher Alex Jackson from Triple-A and then placing Jackson the 60-day IL himself, ending his 2019 season. Outfielder Adam Duvall was also called up from Triple-A.
O’Day is in position to make his first appearance in a Braves uniform, and his first MLB appearance of any kind since June 26 when the veteran reliever was still a member of the Orioles bullpen. O’Day underwent hamstring surgery a few days after that last outing, but was still dealt to Atlanta as part of a six-player deal at the 2018 trade deadline, as O’Day’s inclusion was largely just a salary dump on Baltimore’s part. After suffering forearm problems in Spring Training, however, O’Day has missed all of the 2019 season, and only returned to minor league action on August 23 for the first of four rehab outings.
One of the game’s most underrated relievers from 2012-15, O’Day’s numbers took a step back from outstanding in those four seasons to merely solid over the next three. While he still delivered a 3.56 ERA, 3.44 K/BB rate, and 11/4 K/9 over 111 1/3 IP for the Orioles in 2016-18, O’Day was also plagued by the long ball, as his HR/9 spiked to a 1.4 average over those three seasons. It doesn’t necessarily auger well for a pitcher entering the homer-crazy 2019 baseball season, especially one coming back after over a year’s absence.
Since the Braves do have a healthy seven-game lead in the NL East, however, the team has the flexibility to work O’Day back into the mix in low-pressure situations. If he reveals any of his old form, he could even be a darkhorse contender to earn a spot on Atlanta’s postseason roster. The Braves’ bullpen has been something of a question mark for much of the season, though the trade deadline additions of Shane Greene and Mark Melancon have helped stabilize matters (after some initial bumps). If nothing else, O’Day is hoping for a strong finish to give him some kind of jumping-off point as he enters the free agent market this winter.
Dang
In other news, Allard is 4-0 already..hopefully Martin gets brought back on a 2-3 year deal..
Another arm for the pen, thank god. If he’s half as good as he was pre injury he’s an upgrade over half the pen.
Have you even watched the pen lately?
Clearly not
Two weeks doesn’t make a season. I’ve seen enough of Luke Jackson and Sean Newcomb to last a lifetime.
You mean the Luke Jackson who has a 3.58 era, 3.45 FIP, and 2.72 xFIP. Also getting groundballs at a 61% rate, as well as striking out 32% of batters he faces. Really hate having a guy like that in the pen. Newk hasn’t been as good, but he’s still a solid reliever who can work multiple innings.
Well, then you’re dumb. Players develop.
You’re right Zach…we don’t need anymore good players. Even if they’ve got a track record. Dipshit.
Lol when did I say that? Please show me. i responded to your comment about being sick of Luke Jackson.
Alright…lemme make it simple for you…Luke Jackson allows 48% of his inherited runners to score. That means if we have a one run lead, with two on, and Snit calls Puke out from the pen, one is gonna score. Statistically. Do ERA and FIP account for inherited runners? I’ll hang up and listen.
I’m not really sure why you are so hung up on inherited runners. Those runners aren’t his fault.
Then let’s go back to your numbers…ERA. O’Day has a career ERA a whole run less than Luke’s this year.
Once again, my argument wasn’t Like vs O’Day, it was you saying you were sick of Luke.
Luke gave up 3 in a third of an inning. Exactly why I’m tired of him.
34% of inherited runners scored this season…5th worst in the NL behind juggernauts like Pittsburgh and Colorado. Yes, we still need help in the pen.
Luke Jackson has allowed 48% of inherited runners to score. That is the definition of not doing your job.
Why you have to defend your comment about Luke Jackson is a mystery to me. Even in his last 3 outings he’s allowed an earned run in each of them.
The new additions of Greene, Melancon and Martin, however, are not the same. Melancon has allowed just 1 run in 7.1 innings, Martin has allowed 2 in 7 innings and Greene has allowed 0 in his last 10 innings. The help already arrived during the deadline. O’Day though hasn’t looked all that great since 2016.
People look at short term results and think they are for real. Jackson is not very good. He is a two-pitch pitcher who overly relies on a slider. He does not throw his slider for strikes often. If his opposition was smart, they would just stop chasing. Couple that with the constant head shaking, you know the guy is waiting to blow up at any point.
Exactly. He’s a good mop up guy
Sounds like he can pitch every day!
The Man, The Myth, The Legend himself….Darren O’Day!….mind officially blown
Does recalling Alex Jackson then putting him on 60 day IL to clear 40 man roster spot mean he gets a month+ of MLB salary and service time?
Yes
Which is good for Jackson. He gets a fatter check to do nothing.
He does exist!
That should read: “…since June 26, 2018”.
Great medical care all while making 9 million, sweet. If O’Day helps terrific and lets see what and where he is in 2020?
A motivated O’Day could be a huge asset for the Braves.
Another shot in the arm for a hot bullpen . I hope he makes the postseason roster
Surprised we had a picture of him in a Braves uniform. Should help.
Darren O’Day is totally irrelevant at this point. So are guys like Allard and Minter who don’t have a really good MLB track record. I don’t care what they are doing at AAA.
My bad, forgot that Allard is at Texas and he’s doing well so congrats to him. But I doubt we’ll being facing the Rangers in the World Series so why even bring him up?
O’Day will not be eligible for postseason play, correct?
He’s eligible. You have to be on the 40 man or 60 day IL before midnight on august 31
awesome, I didn’t think he made the deadline. Look forward to seeing what he can do.