Dylan Dodd officially called up to start tonight's game vs Philadelphia

Reliever Michael Tonkin goes on the IL in a corresponding move

Confirming what we all expected last night, the Atlanta Braves are promoting prospect Dylan Dodd to make his fourth major league start of the 2023 season as division rival Philadelphia arrives in town for a four-game set.

The #Braves today recalled LHP Dylan Dodd to Atlanta and placed RHP Michael Tonkin on the 15-day injured list, backdated to May 24, with a strained neck.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 25, 2023

Dodd, who turns 25 in two weeks, was a 3rd round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Southeast Missouri State. He made his MLB debut this season, being called up on April 3rd to start against St. Louis during the season's first week. He stayed up for a 2nd turn through the rotation, then went back when Max Fried returned from his hamstring strain. Since losing Max Fried and Kyle Wright two weeks ago, Dodd's been called up one more time, giving Atlanta a quality start against Miami on May 4th before being optioned back down to AAA Gwinnett. 

On the season, Dodd is 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA in his three starts. He's struck out seven in his fifteen and a third innings of work, walking four and giving up three homeruns. For AAA Gwinnett, Dodd has uncharacteristically struggled as well, with a 1-3 record and 6.67 ERA in his six starts for the Stripers. The Braves are hoping that Dodd's last quality start against Miami and his scoreless outing against Memphis (St. Louis affiliate) on May 20th are signs that he's finally settled into his stuff for the season, as he's already been sent down twice this season and the new CBA limits movement to the minors to five times a season without requiring the player to pass through waivers. 

Being able to count on Jared Shuster and Dodd every fifth day would make things significantly easier for an Atlanta pitching staff that has had to resort to multiple bullpen games already in 2023 (and lost all three). 

The corresponding move for Dodd's promotion was Michael Tonkin going on the 15-day IL, backdated to Wednesday, with a strained muscle in his neck. 

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