Atlanta optioned Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
The right-hander made his first big-league start Saturday versus Texas and will head back to Triple-A after giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 2.2 innings. Murphy has now covered 6.2 frames across three MLB appearances and has allowed three earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB. The 23-year-old could get another look in the majors later this summer, but for now he should step back into the rotation at Gwinnett.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Chased early in first MLB start
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Murphy took a no-decision Saturday against Texas, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.
Making his first career big-league start following a pair of relief appearances, Murphy struggled to contain the Rangers on Saturday. A fielding error by Mauricio Dubon kept an earned run off Murphy's line in the third inning, but the rookie right-hander failed to throw a clean frame. If Martin Perez (forearm) isn't ready to rejoin Atlanta's rotation, Murphy could get another chance as a starter next week against the Padres.
Murphy will start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Murphy was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett last weekend and worked three shutout innings out of the bullpen without allowing a hit Saturday against the Cardinals. He's worked exclusively as a starter in the minors this season, making 16 combined starts between Double-A and Triple-A. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB across 60.1 innings with Gwinnett. Atlanta has 17 games in 17 days beginning Friday, and it's unclear if Murphy will make more starts after this weekend. Both Martin Perez (forearm) and AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) are candidates to rejoin the rotation during that span.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Back in big leagues
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Atlanta recalled Murphy from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Murphy was sent down to the minors earlier in the week after conceding two runs (one earned) in one inning against the Mets during his MLB debut Tuesday. The 22-year-old prospect will now get another chance to showcase his talents with the big club, replacing James Karinchak in Atlanta's bullpen.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Returns to Triple-A
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Atlanta optioned Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
The right-hander was called up Monday and made his debut in the 10th inning against the Mets, taking the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on a hit and a hit-by-pitch with one strikeout. Murphy will now return to Gwinnett, where he has a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB across 11 starts (60.1 innings) this year.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Takes loss in MLB debut
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Murphy (0-1) took the loss Monday, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit in the 10th inning as Atlanta fell 7-6 to the Mets. He struck out without walking a batter.
Making his big-league debut in a high-pressure spot, Murphy retired Francisco Lindor and Carson Benge to begin the frame before hitting Jared Young with a pitch and serving up a two-run double to Luis Torrens. The 22-year-old right-hander is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, and while he's working out of the bullpen for the big club, his future is still expected to be in the rotation -- over 11 starts since a promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett at the beginning of May, Murphy's posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB in 60.1 innings.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Receives first big-league promotion
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Atlanta selected Murphy's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
The 22-year-old Murphy has made 16 starts this season between Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett, registering a 4.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB over 81 innings. Murphy has never made a relief appearance in professional ball, but Atlanta is expected to deploy him as a long man out of the bullpen to begin his time in the majors, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Headed for Tommy John surgery
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Murphy is expected to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery later this week, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
The 20-year-old righty has spent the entire 2024 season at High-A Rome, piling up 60 strikeouts over 41 innings while pitching to a 1.54 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. Though he hasn't yet been formally deactivated, Murphy hasn't pitched since May 14, and the elbow injury explains why. Given the timing of Murphy's surgery, he could be at risk of missing most, if not all, of the 2025 season.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Dominating at High-A
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Murphy struck out 11 over 6.1 scoreless innings for High-A Rome on Tuesday, allowing three hits and zero walks.
The 20-year-old right-hander is having a breakout campaign and justifying the upside Atlanta saw in him when the team made Murphy the 20th overall pick in the 2022 draft. In his last five starts, he's struck out double-digit batters three times, posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB in only 29 innings over that stretch. Atlanta hasn't had qualms about advancing pitchers up the ladder quickly in the past, so Murphy figures to get promoted to Double-A before long given his dominance of South Atlantic League hitters. On his current trajectory, a 2025 big-league debut could be in the cards.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Impressive start to season
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Murphy has posted a 0.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB through two starts and 12 innings for High-A Rome to begin the season.
A first-round pick out of high school in 2022, Murphy struggled with his consistency during his first full pro season last year, but the early returns are very encouraging in 2024. The right-hander profiled as a potential back-of-the-rotation arm when he was drafted, with a solid four-pitch mix that lacked any plus offerings, but Atlanta may have been able to unlock something more in the 20-year-old.
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Braves' Owen Murphy: Rebounds after rough stretch
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Murphy has a 2.87 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB over his last three starts (15.2 innings) for Single-A Augusta.
The 20th overall pick in last year's draft, Murphy had a rough six-start stretch from mid-May through mid-June where he had a 7.78 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 19.2 innings, so it's encouraging to see him right the ship. This recent hot stretch included an eight-strikeout game and a 12-strikeout game, which are his top strikeout performances to date as a pro.
