Braves call up pitcher Owen Murphy from Triple-A, place Martín Pérez on IL amid flurry of roster moves

The Atlanta Braves have called up one of their top pitching prospects for reinforcements while trying to hold onto first place in the National League East.

Right-hander Owen Murphy is coming up from Triple-A, the team announced on Monday. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, The Athletic reported.

However, with Martín Pérez going on the injured list with a forearm contusion, along with Spencer Strider and Robert Suarez currently recovering from injuries, Murphy could join the starting rotation eventually. But he'll pitch in relief until at least the All-Star break, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Murphy, 22, is ranked by MLB.com as the Braves' No. 6 minor-league prospect. He was Atlanta's 2022 first-round selection (No. 20 overall) out of Riverside Brookfield High School in Illinois.

Beginning the season in Double-A, Murphy was promoted to Triple-A after five starts and has compiled a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts with 65 strikeouts and 20 walks in 60 1/3 innings.

Murphy will take Pérez's place on the Braves' roster. Pérez sustained his injury during Sunday's 10-9 loss to the New York Mets, getting hit by a line drive from Juan Soto in the fifth inning.

Additionally, Atlanta recalled pitcher JR Ritchie from Gwinnett and designated pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment. Ritchie, 22, made a quick bounce back to the majors after pitching three innings in Saturday's 14-3 win, He was optioned back to Triple-A afterwards.

Ranked as the Braves' No. 2 prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, Ritchie pitched in nine games (starting seven) for Atlanta earlier this season. Altogether, he has a 4.53 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings thus far. Ritchie made nine starts in Triple-A, compiling a 3.43 ERA and 42 Ks in 44 2/3 innings.

Carrasco, 39, registered a 5.94 ERA in eight appearances, striking out seven batters in 16 2/3 innings.