Cleveland assistant football coach Tim Gearrin and his family are experiencing an enjoyable Easter weekend as his son, Cody Gearrin, has been called up to the bullpen of the Atlanta Braves.

The younger Gearrin, a Rhea County High School graduate, was pitching for Atlanta’s Gwinnett Braves when he received a telephone call Thursday night in Norfolk, Va., where Gwinnett was playing.

The call was from Braves General Manager Frank Wren to inform Gearrin that he would be joining the Braves on the west coast.

Gearrin’s father said his 25-year-old son was told to buy a suit and tie for his trip to San Francisco Friday, because “Major Leaguers travel in suits and ties.”

Tim Gearrin told Cleveland High athletic director Mike Collier that he was looking for airlines tickets to the West Coast so he could see his son pitch in the Major Leagues. “I’m thrilled that Cory has been called, but not being there is terrible,” the elder Gearrin said.

Gearrin said Cory’s mother, Gery, and uncle (Pat) were already on their way to California, where the Braves are in the middle of a 10-game swing ... facing the San Francisco Giants this weekend.

It is believed that Gearrin was called up because Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan has been placed on the disabled list and lefty Jonny Venter has had bicep problems.

Gearrin’s high school coach at Rhea County, Wes Caldwell, told local media that his former standout had a pitching style that is very similar to Moylan.

Gearrin is 6-foot-3, weighs just over 200. He throws sidearm. He pitched for Young-Harris College in northeast Georgia, and later for Mercer University in Macon, Ga. He was selected out of Mercer in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

He pitched for Gwinnett on Thursday, his sixth appearance of the season. For the year he has a 1-1 record and a 2.61 ERA. Last season he pitched a team-high 80 innings in 52 appearances. He had a 3-5 record and a 3.36 ERA.

According to a press release by the Braves, outfielder Matt Young was optioned to Gwinnett to open a spot on the 25-man roster for Gearrin.

It was apparent the Braves would need to add another reliever after they were forced to utilize Cristhian Martinez for a third consecutive day during Thursday's 5-3, 12-inning loss to the Dodgers.

Gearrin has limited left-handed hitters (this season) to a .167 (2-for-12) batting average. Right-handed hitters have hit .320 (8-for-25).

The Braves seem optimistic regarding Venters' condition. But the valuable left-handed reliever wasn't available to throw Thursday and was unknown whether he will to pitch this weekend. Gearrin may be called on to fill this void.

In the meantime, Gearrin is with the Braves ... and ready to go.