Muller is 1-2 with a 5.65 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB across 14.1 innings over four Cactus League appearances (three starts).
The offseason trade acquisition's Athletics debut Feb. 26 against the Brewers went smoothly, with Muller firing a pair of scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and a walk. However, the towering southpaw has pitched to plenty of contact during his subsequent three trips to the mound, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) on 18 hits, two walks and a hit batsman. Muller has been in contention for a back-end rotation spot with Drew Rucinski and JP Sears, and Steve Stockmar of MLB.com notes the big lefty's five-inning, 57-pitch outing against the Reds on Saturday caught the eye of manager Mark Kotsay. "He came out that first inning and really pounded the zone with his fastball," Kotsay said postgame. "I think he's recognizing the importance of the fastball and got through a full five innings. I thought he did a good job."
The Athletics acquired Muller from Atlanta on Monday in a three-team deal which also involved the Brewers, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
Details of the trade are still emerging, but most notably, Atlanta acquired Sean Murphy and Milwaukee received William Contreras. Prospects Freddy Tarnok and Esteury Ruiz are going to Oakland alongside Muller, who was arguably Atlanta's top prospect. The left-handed starter struggled in three big-league appearances in 2022, but his Triple-A performance-3.41 ERA, 159:40 K:BB and a 1.18 WHIP in 134.2 innings inspire confidence in him becoming an effective big leaguer. Atlanta's strong rotation may have kept Muller in the minors longer than he needed. Oakland, on the other hand, figures to work Muller into its starting mix to begin the 2023 season.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Sent back down
Rotowire
Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
The southpaw was productive during Tuesday's start in Washington, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.2 innings. However, he'll head back to the minors as part of a move to make room for Silvino Bracho on the active roster. Muller spent most of the 2022 season at Gwinnett and posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 134.2 innings over 23 starts.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Called up ahead of start
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Atlanta recalled Muller from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday in Washington.
Alan Rangel was optioned to Gwinnett to clear room on the 28-man active roster for Muller, who is set to take the hill for Atlanta for the third time this season Tuesday. The 24-year-old owns a 5.49 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 39.1 career big-league innings, but he was one of the International League's top strikeout artists this season, racking up 159 punchouts in 134.2 frames. The strikeout upside he offers along with the good chance he has at coming away with a win Tuesday against the 100-loss Nationals could be enough to make Muller an appealing streaming option.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Named Tuesday's starter
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Muller will start Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Muller joined Atlanta's taxi squad Monday and will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett a day later to make a late-season start in the majors. The southpaw gave up nine runs in 7.2 innings over two starts for Atlanta earlier in the season, but it's possible that he also makes a start next week in Miami if he performs relatively well Tuesday.
Muller joined Atlanta's taxi squad Monday and is expected to be formally recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday in Washington, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Atlanta looks set to temporarily expand their rotation to six men with a week and a half left in the regular season, paving the way for Muller to rejoin the big club for the third time this season. The 24-year-old southpaw hasn't been especially effective over his prior two spot starts with Atlanta this season, but he's been one of the International League's more dominant arms in 2022, compiling a 3.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 159:40 K:BB in 134.2 innings. With a strong showing Tuesday, Muller could earn himself another spot start early next week in Miami.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Sent down following matinee
Rotowire
Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett following the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Muller started Saturday's matinee and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings to earn the win. In spite of his strong performance, he'll be sent down to make room on the active roster for Bryce Elder, who should be available out of the bullpen for the second game.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Recalled prior to start
Rotowire
Muller was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Muller's call-up was expected since he'll start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Miami. He's posted a 3.27 ERA, 122:27 K:BB and 1.10 WHIP in 99 innings over 17 starts in the minors this year, but it's not yet clear whether he'll have a chance to remain in Atlanta's rotation beyond Saturday's start. His status may hinge on the availability of Max Fried (concussion), who is currently on the 7-day injured list but could be ready to go when first eligible Monday.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Starting matinee
Rotowire
Muller will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins.
Muller has a 5.49 ERA in 39.1 career major-league innings, but the 24-year-old lefty has looked quite good in 17 starts for Gwinnett this season. He's struck out 31 percent of batters while walking just 6.9 percent, leading to a 3.27 ERA. It's unclear whether or not he'll have a chance to push for a starting role down the stretch or if he'll return to the minors immediately after Saturday's game.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Back in action for Gwinnett
Rotowire
Muller (hand) started Saturday for Triple-A Gwinnett, covering 4.2 innings and striking out five while allowing five earned runs on six hits and one walk.
Muller was back on the mound for Gwinnett for the first time since July 14 after he demonstrated enough progress in his recovery from a fractured right hand to return to action. The left-hander was fortunate to avoid an extended absence since the injury wasn't to his pitching hand, but the injury along with Atlanta's trade-deadline acquisition of Jake Odorizzi may have closed Muller's window for joining the big club in any case. Atlanta demoted struggling No. 5 starter Ian Anderson to Triple-a Gwinnett on Sunday, but Odorizzi is replacing him as a full-time member of the rotation.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Out indefinitely
Rotowire
Muller was hit in the right (non-pitching) hand by a comebacker last week and is not listed on Triple-A Gwinnett's list of planned starters for the next five days, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The team is trying to get a splint made that will allow him to pitch, and he has not been placed on the injured list. It's unclear when he will be able to return, but Muller had been excellent lately at Triple-A. Over his last eight starts, the big lefty had a 2.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 61:9 K:BB in 52 innings.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Sent down following start
Rotowire
Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Muller was called up prior to Sunday's start against the Rangers, and he allowed seven runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three in 2.2 innings to take the loss. The southpaw will head back to the minors following his rough start as part of a move to trim Atlanta's active roster to 26 players. Bryce Elder was also optioned to Gwinnett on Sunday, so it's not yet clear who will serve as the team's fifth starter next week.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Called up, starting Sunday
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Muller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. He's scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Max Fried initially lined up to start the series finale in Texas, but he'll instead be saved for Monday's series opener against the division-leading Mets. Meanwhile, Muller will immediately jump into the rotation as a replacement for Bryce Elder, who was optioned to Gwinnett after being handed his third straight loss in Saturday's start against the Rangers. Muller, who submitted a 4.17 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB across 36.2 innings in nine appearances (eight starts) for Atlanta in 2021, was off to a hot start at Gwinnett prior to his call-up. In four starts for the affiliate, he amassed 28 strikeouts over 19.2 innings.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Sent to minors
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Muller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
Muller's demotion likely leaves Tucker Davidson as Atlanta's No. 6 starter, should the club elect to expand beyond the five-man rotation setup it ran out for most of 2021. As a rookie last season, Muller made nine appearances (eight starts) for Atlanta, posting a 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB in 36.2 innings.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Quick start to spring
Rotowire
Muller gave up one hit over two scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, striking out two without walking a batter.
It was a good first appearance of the spring for the southpaw, who's competing with Tucker Davidson and Kyle Wright for a spot at the back of the Atlanta rotation. Muller, a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft, got his first taste of the majors last season, and while he has a strong arsenal of pitches, his 12.9 percent walk rate will need some work if he's going to find consistent success.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Optioned after poor start
Rotowire
Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Muller allowed six earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out just one across 2.1 innings Thursday against the Reds. He was also charged with the loss, dropping his record to 2-4. Though Muller had pitched effectively in the rotation since early July, he is seemingly the odd-man out with Huascar Ynoa (hand) set to return Tuesday. Muller's demotion also suggests that Touki Toussaint will remain a starter until Ian Anderson (shoulder) is activated.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Lacks control in no-decision
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Muller allowed three runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out three in 4.2 innings versus Washington on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.
In addition to the hit batter, Muller also threw three wild pitches in a game where he didn't have the sharpest control. He was spared the loss when Atlanta rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. The southpaw has given up more than two runs in only two of his eight big-league appearances (seven starts) this year. He owns a 2.88 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB across 34.1 innings. Muller lines up for his next start versus Cincinnati next week.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Notches second victory
Rotowire
Muller (2-3) earned the win after allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three across five scoreless innings in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets.
Muller was impressive in the first half of the twin bill and needed just 75 pitches to get through five strong frames. He appears to have performed well enough in each of his last two outings since being called up to remain part of Atlanta's starting rotation going forward. His next assignment tentatively lines up for Saturday against Milwaukee.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Sticking in rotation
Rotowire
Muller is scheduled to start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
After being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Muller got the ball for the first game of a doubleheader with the Padres. He allowed only one run over four innings in the start, but he needed 87 pitches to record his 12 outs and was stuck with the loss. Muller's solid numbers overall through his first five big-league outings (3.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 23:11 K:BB in 19.2 innings) coupled with the depleted state of the Atlanta rotation means that the rookie should have some stability in a starting role for the remainder of the season.
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Braves' Kyle Muller: Inefficient in loss
Rotowire
Muller (1-3) allowed one run on two hits and three walks over four innings Wednesday, striking out one and taking the loss in the first game of a doubleheader against the Padres.
Largely due to the trio of free passes and the Padres working a lot of deep counts, Muller required 87 pitches to get through four frames. The rookie fared well in limiting San Diego's potent lineup to a single run, but the lack of run support while he was in the game resulted in a loss, his third in four starts. A frequent traveler between Atlanta and Triple-A Gwinnett, Muller now has a 3.20 ERA and 23:11 K:BB in 19.2 big-league innings this season and figures to stay in the starting rotation for the remainder of the regular season. He's expected to make his next start Monday against the Mets.
