Braves' JR Ritchie: Quality start in Triple-A debut
Rotowire
Ritchie struck out six while giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Making his first Triple-A start since getting promoted last week, Ritchie looked a little nervous as he served up solo shots in the first and second innings, but the right-hander settled into a groove after that. It's the first time since May 23 he's completed six innings in a start, but he hadn't been tagged for multiple homers in an outing since April 16. Ritchie has a combined 2.50 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 85:28 K:BB in 86.1 innings across three levels this season in what has been a very successful first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023. The 22-year-old isn't yet on the 40-man roster, but Ritchie is one step away from making his big-league debut for an Atlanta squad that is currently missing Chris Sale (ribs), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) and Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) from its rotation.
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Braves' JR Ritchie: Strong start to season
Rotowire
Ritchie has posted a 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 21 innings over four starts for High-A Rome.
The 21-year-old right-hander is looking to stay healthy this year after making a late-season return from Tommy John surgery in 2024. Ritchie's strikeout rate is down in the early going -- he fanned 48 over 42.1 innings between Single-A and High-A last year -- but he built up to 6.2 innings in his most recent outing April 22, allowing two runs on three hits with a 5:0 K:BB. Atlanta won't rush Ritchie up the ladder, but a promotion to Double-A in the second half wouldn't be surprising if he continues to have success in the South Atlantic League.
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Braves' JR Ritchie: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Ritchie (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in his first rehab start Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Ritchie appeared in his first game since undergoingTommy John surgery last May. Since being taken with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, the 20-year-old Ritchie has logged just 29.2 innings in the professional ranks. He's posted a 3.34 ERA and 40:8 K:BB during that time and could move his way up prospect lists if he's able to prove his health and regain his pre-surgery velocity and command.
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Braves' JR Ritchie: Headed for Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Ritchie is scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Wednesday to repair a moderate UCL tear in his right elbow, Geoff Pontes of Baseball America reports.
In addition to sidelining Ritchie for the remainder of the 2023 campaign, the upcoming procedure is expected to keep the 19-year-old on the shelf for the majority -- if not all -- of the 2024 minor-league season. A 2022 first-round supplemental pick, Ritchie had turned in a 5.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings over four starts with Single-A Augusta before being deactivated May 11.
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Braves' JR Ritchie: Goes on IL
Rotowire
Single-A Augusta placed Ritchie (undisclosed) on its 7-day injured list Thursday.
Ritchie was deactivated five days after he exited his fourth start of the season with an unspecified injury. Over 13.1 innings with Augusta this season, Ritchie owns a 5.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB.
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Braves' JR Ritchie: Dealing with undisclosed injury
Rotowire
Ritchie left his most recent start for Single-A Augusta with an apparent injury, Garrett Spain of Battery Power reports.
He faced the minimum while striking out six through three innings in his May 6 start against Kannapolis, but he suffered an apparent injury on a pitch in the fourth inning and then missed badly on two pitches before calling for the catcher to come visit. The manager and trainer came out as well and Ritchie left with an undisclosed injury. The 6-foot-2 righty boasts a 25:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings while going around three innings per start for the GreenJackets.
