Braves Rumors: Bryce Elder answered Pete Alsono's dare
If you tell a pitcher to "throw it again," just know they fulfill your wish by plonking you right in the ribs.
Pete Alonso caused a stir in Atlanta in early June when he taunted Bryce Elder to "throw it again" after blasting a home run against the righty. In a universe, that moment might have been a spark for the Mets. In this one, it did the opposite.
The Braves went on to win that game and swept the series. Then fans collectively laughed as New York fell off a cliff, turning "throw it again" into a taunt specially reserved for Alonso and the Mets.
Charlie Morton hit Alonso with a pitch the next game. On Tuesday, it looked like sparks were sure to fly as Elder faced off with Alonso for the first time. He just happened to hit the first baseman.
Alonso said after the game he didn't think the HBP was intentional. And that may be true. The fans at Truist Park saw it differently and cheered the apparent retaliation.
Elder went 5.1 innings with one run allowed as the Braves won the game 3-2. So Alonso took an L on that one as well.
Braves rumors: Kyle Wright update is good news for Atlanta
Kyle Wright, who has not pitched since May 3, is one step closer to getting back into the Braves rotation.
On Thursday, Wright will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome as he ramps back up from the shoulder injury that has limited him to just five appearances this season.
Braves fans will have good reason to keep track of his rehab starts in the minors. He is expected to make a handful or so starts before he will be in contention to play for Atlanta again. That could get him back in the fold by mid-September.
Wright was a Cy Young candidate last season with 21 wins in 30 starts, leading all Braves pitchers. He had a career-best 3.19 ERA and won Game 2 of the NLDS with six shutout innings on the mound.
Atlanta has relied on Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton to carry the rotation this year. And they each have double-digit victories and ERAs under 4.0. But the overall depth and strength of the pitching staff will be greatly improved when Wright is available again. He'll be needed in October, that's for sure.
Braves rumors: Prospect moving swiftly up the ranks
Kyle Wright won't be the only player in Rome for Braves fans to keep a close eye on right now. Atlanta's No. 5 overall prospect is going to get the chance to shine with the Rome Braves as well.
Owen Murphy was the Braves' first-round pick in 2022 after he won the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year Award. He's on the verge of turning 20 and just got the call-up from Single-A August to High-A Rome.
With the GreenJackets, Murphy went 6-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 18 games. He maintained a WHIP of 1.27. Stepping up a level will give the righty a test to prove he's on track to win a place in the Braves lineup down the line.
MLB Pipeline projects Murphy to be ready for the bigs by 2026. They see him having "the chance to sit in the middle of a big league rotation."
The Braves system is fully stocked with pitching prospects like Murphy, who was the No. 2-ranked prospect at the end of last year. Now, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Spencer Schwellenback and Cade Kuehler, all pitcher, sit in front of him. Waldrep and Kuehler were 2023 draft picks.