The Braves optioned JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie threw 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday. He should get another opportunity later in the summer.

Ritchie allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus St. Louis on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie had to come in earlier than expected after opener Danny Young allowed a run and left two men on base with two outs in the first inning. Ritchie got out of that jam and then turned in a strong performance of his own, running into trouble only in the fourth inning. Ritchie has allowed two runs over 8.2 innings across three appearances in July. He's now at a 4.38 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 44:30 K:BB through 49.1 innings over 11 games (seven starts) in the majors. Ritchie's role remains in flux -- he could return to the bullpen full-time or get demoted Triple-A Gwinnett if Martin Perez (forearm contusion) is ready to go after the All-Star break.

Ritchie is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Danny Young during Sunday's game in St. Louis, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Young is unlikely to work more than an inning or two before giving way to Ritchie, who has re-entered the Atlanta rotation following Hurston Waldrep's recent demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ritchie's workload is still expected to be monitored carefully Sunday, as the young righty will be taking the hill on just two days' rest after covering 1.1 innings in a 35-pitch appearance out of the bullpen in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.

Ritchie will start Sunday's game in St. Louis, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He's taking over the rotation spot vacated by Hurston Waldrep, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ritchie has made seven starts and three relief outings with the big club this season, turning in a 4.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 42:28 K:BB over 45 innings. It's been nearly two weeks since Ritchie had a normal starter's workload and he just threw 35 pitches in relief Thursday, so his pitch count figures to be limited Sunday.

Atlanta recalled Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

One day after being optioned to Triple-A, Ritchie will rejoin Atlanta after Martin Perez exited his start in Sunday's loss to the Mets due to a forearm contusion and was moved to the 15-day injured list. Though the loss of Perez creates a need for a fifth starter, Bryce Elder is expected to slot back into the rotation during the upcoming week after having his previous turn skipped. As such, Ritchie will serve as a multi-inning option out of the Atlanta bullpen for the team's final seven games before the All-Star break, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Atlanta optioned Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie's stay with Atlanta lasted just one day, with the 23-year-old righty working out of the bullpen in Saturday's 14-3 win over the Mets and striking out four over three scoreless innings en route to collecting his first career save. Atlanta called up Carlos Carrasco from Triple-A in a corresponding move while Ritchie slots back into the rotation at Gwinnett.

Atlanta recalled Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie was scratched from his scheduled start with Gwinnett on Saturday and will join the big club in Atlanta. His last major-league start was June 23, when he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out seven across five innings in a no-decision against the Padres.

Ritchie is set to join Atlanta after he was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crosby relays that Ritchie joining Atlanta's 26-man roster will likely correspond with Bryce Elder being placed on the 15-day injured list after the latter's turn in the rotation was skipped due to arm fatigue. Ritchie has split his time between the majors and Triple-A this season, and across eight appearances (seven starts) with Atlanta, he has a 1-2 record with a 4.87 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 37:25 K:BB across 40.2 innings.

Atlanta optioned Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie's second stint in the big leagues lasted two weeks, with the young righty posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB in 15 innings across two starts and one relief appearance. Due to off days Thursday and Monday, Atlanta should be able to get by with four starters in the short term before filling Ritchie's vacated spot in the rotation late next week. Hurston Waldrep has given up just one run in 7.2 innings over two starts for Gwinnett since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list earlier this month and would be a logical choice to replace Ritchie in the big-league rotation.

Ritchie allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision versus San Diego on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ritchie wasn't particularly good in this performance, though the seven strikeouts matched his season high. He was at least able to keep the ball down better after giving up three home runs in his last start against the Giants. Ritchie has a 4.87 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 37:25 K:BB through 40.2 innings over eight games (seven starts). Despite the underwhelming numbers, Atlanta needs him in the rotation while the team waits for Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver to return from their respective elbow injuries. Ritchie is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus St. Louis and could continue to start through July as long as he shows some promise.