Atlanta Braves lose another pitcher to elbow injury

The Atlanta Braves have been plagued by injuries throughout this season and suffered another blow on Monday.

Atlanta announced that it has placed left-handed pitcher Ray Kerr on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow UCL injury, effective June 16. The Braves initially optioned Kerr to Triple-A Gwinnett on June 15, a decision that has since been reversed. .

Kerr, 29, has pitched in 10 games for the Braves this season, including two starts. He owns a 5.64 ERA over 22.1 innings, although eight of the 14 runs he has allowed have come in his two starts, in which he has covered 7.2 innings total.

Kerr, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, was more effective as a reliever and made his final four appearances out of the bullpen before injuring his elbow June 15 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Kerr is just one of several Braves arms dealing with an elbow ailment, joining Spencer Strider and Huascar Ynoa, who are on the 60-day IL, and Tyler Matzek and Hurston Waldrep, who are on the IT 15 days.

The Braves have had a recent mid-season surge, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. Their pitching staff has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of those contests.

Yet Atlanta is playing hurt — from its pitching staff to its outfield, where Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II have each succumbed to injuries.

Still, the Braves keep winning – and they hope to continue that momentum Monday night, when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:45 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium.