April 19, 2012
Less than 20 minutes before first pitch of today's noon G-Braves game, the team announced the activation of major league reliever Anthony Varvaro.
The Staten Island native ended last season on the Atlanta roster, getting called up Sept. 1 through the end of the season. In a few stints in the big leagues a season ago, Varvaro pitched in 18 games going 0-2 with a 2.63 ERA. Vavarvo appeared in 38 games for Gwinnett, with a 2.90 ERA. He is recovering from a strained right pectoral strain suffered in spring training.
Before the injury, the righty struggled in Florida, allowing 14 hits in 6 2/3 innings over eight games. His spring ERA finished at 9.45 and he walked four batters and struck out six.
With his activation Thursday, a decision on Varvaro's role with the Braves must be made in, at most, 30 days. Where he fits in Atlanta's rotation remains a question, but with the struggles of Chad Durbin in his four starts so far, there appears to be room opening on the big-league club.
But Varvaro isn't the only one fighting for that yet-to-be-open spot. Corey Gearrin, who spent time in Atlanta last season, hasn't allowed a run over 11 1/3 innings this year. The right-hander has two of the G-Braves three saves and has struck out 13 and walked two. Then there's former big leaguer Buddy Carlyle, who in 11 innings, hasn't allowed a run, giving up just three hits, walking five and striking out nine.
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