Braves make several minor league transactions

The Atlanta Braves have made a number of transactions in the farm system. BravesCenter's Bill Shanks has more.

With Tony Pena, Jr. and Peter Moylan headed to Atlanta, the Braves had to make several roster moves today that extended throughout all four levels of the system.

First, infielder Luis Hernandez was promoted to AAA Richmond. Hernandez was repeating the season in Double-A Mississippi after hitting .243 last year with two home runs and 32 RBIs. So far this season Hernandez was 3-for-15 in his first four games. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter had started all four games this year at second base, even though he's mostly a shortstop. The Braves had planned to rotate Hernandez and fellow shortstop Yunel Escobar around the infield this season to improve their versatility. Hernandez is the best defensive infielder in the Atlanta farm system.

Brad Baker will head to Richmond to replace Blaine Boyer, who was placed on the disabled list with more shoulder soreness. Baker was originally scheduled to go to Triple-A to start the season but was bumped down to Mississippi, where he pitched two scoreless innings in his first two games. Baker was signed as a six-year free agent last winter from the San Diego Padres.

Left-hander Brady Endl has been placed on Mississippi's disabled list with a sore left collarbone. The Braves believe Endl will miss only one start, with Ryan Basner getting the call tomorrow night against Mobile. Endl pitched four innings in his debut last Friday and allowed two unearned runs.

To replace Endl on the Mississippi roster, the Braves promoted left-hander Will Startup from Myrtle Beach. Startup pitched two scoreless innings in his season debut over the weekend for the Pelicans. He'll slide into Mississippi's bullpen.

Jamie Trejo will also join the Mississippi roster as the replacement for Luis Hernandez. Trejo had played in one game for the Rome Braves this season and was 0-for-4. Trejo can play second, short, and third base.

Asher Demme, who pitched 3.1 scoreless innings on Sunday in his season debut for Rome, has been sent to Orlando and Extended Spring Training. Demme has been experiencing some soreness in his right forearm.

Right-hander David Watkins has been brought up from Orlando to take Demme's place on Rome's roster. Watkins has missed the last two seasons with arm trouble. He will piggyback on starts with Beau Jones in the Rome rotation.


Bill Shanks is the author of Scout's Honor: The Bravest Way To Build A Winning Team, a look inside the Braves‘ traditional front office philosophies. Email Bill at .