On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves will look to win their series with the Texas Rangers at Truist Park.
They are coming off a 7-6 loss on Saturday (but won Friday’s game 15-1).
UPDATE: The Braves won 8-5.
Braves Demote Former 1st-Round Pick
GettyOwen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Braves announced that they had optioned Owen Murphy back to Triple-A.
He made his first start on Saturday, going 2.2 innings (and allowing two earned runs).
Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan wrote: “The Braves have called up RHP Elieser Hernández and optioned RHP Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett”
GettyOwen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in his Major League Baseball debut in the 10th inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Murphy was picked in the 1st round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
He made his MLB debut earlier this season.
Right now, the 22-year-old is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA in three games.
Social Media Reacts
GettyOwen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here’s what people were saying about the news:
@Drake__Baldwin: “Will you all ever learn how to handle young pitchers properly?”
@inside_the_A: “Killing the confidence of a promising young arm because we’re too cheap to get a real veteran arm”
@GaSportsFreak1: “I’ve never seen an organization ruin so many young pitchers quite like the Braves”
GettyOwen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in his Major League Baseball debut during the 10th inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
@TGreenhutOD: “Not a fan. Let Owen get actual big league run. He’s earned and proven he deserves to gain MLB experience.”
@ATLWiley: “Using majority of your young pitchers so early instead just getting some starting pitching before the season started not really sure who thought that was a good idea”
Braves Right Now
GettyDrake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts with Brewer Hicklen #53 and Jim Jarvis #74 following his three-run home run during the fourth inning at Truist Park on July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Braves are 56-41 in 97 games, which has them at the top of the National League East.
They will host the San Diego Padres on Monday.
Atlanta Braves Announce Demotion Of Former 1st-Round Pick