The Braves need a starting pitcher badly. They could really use a lefty. With that in mind, I would think they would be targeting Wandy Rodriguez, Francisco Liriano, Jason Vargas, Paul Maholm or Clayton Richard. They could also target a back end type of pitcher if Randall Delgado and Mike Minor keep struggling. Guys like ex-Brave Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie could also be targets of the Braves as neither of them would likely come cheaply.

The Braves have signed 23-year old lefty reliever Fabian Williamson. Williamson pitched in 8 games (7 starts) for Winnipeg of the Independent League this year and he was 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 111 games (82 starts) in his first 6 years in the minors and he is 34-25 with 5 saves, a 4.00 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Decent lefties are hard to find, so it makes sense that the Braves would sign Williamson and give him another shot.

36-year old righty starting pitcher Tim Hudson started this season late due to back surgery, but he is not looking at all rusty. Hudson has pitched in 10 games (all starts) for the Braves so far this year and he is 5-3 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 205 games (204 starts) in his first 8 years with the Braves and he is 94-61 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Hudson has been a rock in the foundation of the Braves’ starting rotation since the day he became a member of the team, and I look for that to continue…health willing.

The Braves have signed 29-year old lefty reliever Brent Leach to a minor league deal. Leach pitched in 10 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Dodgers earlier this year and he was 1-2 with 1 save, a 7.02 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP. Leach’s only experience in the majors came back in 2009 with the Dodgers. Leach pitched in 38 games (0 starts) for the Dodgers in 2009 and he was 2-0 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Leach could get a shot with the Braves later this year if he pitches well in the minors.

The Braves have placed 35-year old righty reliever D.J. Carrasco to a minor league deal. Carrasco pitched in 4 games (0 starts) earlier this year with the Mets and he was 0-0 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He has now pitched in 290 games (24 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 24-21 with 2 saves, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. If Carrasco pitches well in the minors, he could help out the Braves in middle relief later this year.

UPDATE: (7/4/2012) - The Braves have released D.J. Carrasco. He pitched in 5 games in AAA-ball for the Braves and he was 1-0 with a 12.60 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. He gave up 10 hits and 5 walks in only 5 innings in the minors for the Braves. This is no loss for the Braves moving forward.

The Braves are going to call up 26-year old righty starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens when Brandon Beachy’s spot in the rotation comes back up. Jurrjens has pitched in 4 games (all starts) for the Braves earlier this year and he was 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA and a 2.45 WHIP. He has not looked too good in the minors either. Jurrjens has pitched in 9 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Braves and he is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has pitched in 112 games (all starts) in his first five years with the Braves and he is 47-34 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. The Braves hope Jurrjens can get back to the pitcher he was before the 2012 season.

25-year old righty reliever Jaye Chapman is looking solid in AAA-ball this year for the Braves. Chapman has pitched in 26 games (0 starts) for the Braves so far this year in AAA-ball and he is 2-2 with 3 saves, a 2.59 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has given up 27 hits in 31 1/3 innings so far this year while whiffing 38 batters, which is outstanding. Chapman has now pitched in 228 games (8 starts) in his first seven years in the minors and he is 16-18 with 24 saves, a 3.90 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. If Chapman keeps pitching like he is right now, he might get a shot with the Braves in 2012.

The Atlanta Braves have placed 25-year old righty starting pitcher Brandon Beachy on the 15-day disabled list due to a sore right elbow. Beachy has pitched in 13 games (all starts) for the Braves so far this year and he is 5-5 with a 2.00 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He has only given up 49 hits in 81 innings so far this year, showing just how really nasty he has been. The Braves have called up 27-year old righty starting pitcher Todd Redmond to replace Beachy on the pitching staff. Redmond has pitched in 13 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Braves this year and he is 6-4 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He has now pitched in 194 games (188 starts) in his first 8 years in the minors and he is 69-54 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

UPDATE: (6/20/2012) - The Braves have lost Brandon Beachy for the rest of the season due to Tommy John Surgery. He will also miss the first couple of months of the 2013 season.

The Braves have acquired 26-year old lefty starter/reliever Cole McCurry from the Orioles for cash considerations. McCurry pitched in 13 games (9 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Orioles this year and he was 0-7 with 1 save, a 6.10 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He has now pitched in 152 games (85 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 38-40 with 3 saves, a 3.67 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. McCurry might get a shot to help the Braves later this year if he gets off to a good start in the minors.

The Atlanta Braves have designated 37-year old righty reliever Livan Hernandez for assignment. Hernandez pitched in 18 games (0 starts) for the Braves this year and he was 1-1 with 1 save, a 4.94 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. The Braves have called up 26-year old righty reliever Kris Medlen to replace Hernandez in the bullpen. Medlen pitched in 21 games (0 starts) earlier this year for the Braves and he was 1-1 with 1 save, a 3.49 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

UPDATE: (6/19/2012) - The Braves have released Livan Hernandez.