The Atlanta Braves made a roster move on Monday morning as they prepared to open a series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The club recalled right-hander Owen Murphy and designated left-hander Bailey Falter for assignment, ending a brief stay that lasted only two appearances, via the MLB transaction log.
The timing came after a mixed weekend at home. Atlanta dropped a 9-4 decision to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday but still took two of three games in the series.
The Braves now turn their attention to the Cubs, looking to stay sharp as the season heads into its final stretch.
Falter, 29, joined Atlanta after earlier stops with the Phillies, Pirates, and Royals. Selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, he spent the first two and a half years of his big-league career in Philadelphia before bouncing around the National League.
Over 121 games and 85 starts, he has posted a 25-32 record and a 4.73 ERA. His two outings with the Braves were short but memorable for some fans, including a pair of scoreless innings and a strikeout of Bryce Harper.
The designation for assignment gives other teams a window to claim him off waivers. If he clears, Atlanta could still keep him in the organization if it chooses.
That possibility drew mixed reactions from supporters who noted his history of pitching well against certain opponents, including the Phillies and Dodgers. Others simply thanked him for the brief contributions and wondered whether a longer stay might have developed.
Roster decisions like this are common in September as clubs evaluate pitching depth and try to match personnel to upcoming schedules.
Murphy’s recall suggests the Braves wanted a different look in the bullpen as they travel to Chicago. Falter’s next chapter will depend on whether another team sees value in a veteran left-hander with starting experience or whether he remains connected to Atlanta’s system.
For a pitcher who has moved several times already, the latest change is another reminder of how quickly roles can shift late in a season.
The Braves, meanwhile, will take the field Monday night focused on the Cubs rather than the move that preceded the series.
How Falter’s situation resolves in the coming days will be one of the quieter storylines around the club as it continues its push toward October.
