The Braves were reinvigorated by three additional young pitchers Saturday, among the seven extra players joining the team as MLB rosters grow from 25 to 40 players.
Reliever Shane Carle returned from his rehab assignment. He had been sidelined since early August with shoulder inflammation. Veteran Lane Adams, a speedster and 2017 pinch-hit specialist, returns to give the team outfield depth and a pinch-runner. Michael Reed was recalled for further bench depth, while Rene Rivera will be the team’s third catcher.
Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson, both of whom have made one start each in the majors, were recalled. They could contribute as starters or relievers depending on the need.
“All of them that came back made a nice first impression when they were here, so it’s good to see these guys,” manager Brian Snitker said.
Most notably, Kyle Wright, a starter whom the team selected fifth overall in June 2017, was promoted to serve as relief help down the stretch. He’d recently made three relief appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett, his first time pitching out of the bullpen since his freshman season at Vanderbilt.
The Braves will add further reinforcements after Gwinnett’s season ends Sept. 3. Reliever Chad Sobotka, who was optioned Wednesday and required to stay down for 10 days, and lefty Max Fried will be among the next wave.
Reliever Arodys Vizcaino was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, but that was a procedural move that opened an additional 40-man spot. Vizcaino will make his first rehab appearance on Sunday or Monday, according to manager Brian Snitker, and the team expects him back later in the month.
But for now, the Braves bolstered their bullpen and bench. The former received a substantial boost with the return of Carle, who’s been among the team’s better relievers when healthy. He began the season with a 0.69 ERA over his first 20 outings, but regressed to a 5.40 mark in his last 28-1/3 innings (24 appearances) before going on the DL.
Carle made two relief appearances in his rehab. He can provide the Braves length, still a valuable trait despite expanded rosters, and a weapon in leverage spots. Carle is holding opposing batters to a .202 (19-for-94) average with runners on base. He’s allowed only 11 hits in 56 at-bats with men in scoring position.
Toussaint impressed in his first start against the Marlins, and he and Fried are expected to jointly fill the additional rotation slot as the Braves re-implement a six-man rotation through September.
Wilson threw five scoreless innings against the Pirates on Aug. 20, an unexpected debut for the 20-year-old. He was informed he’d now be used mostly in relief, though he could warrant a start if the situation dictates it.
Across three minor-league levels, Wilson earned a 3.44 ERA. He recently made two relief appearances with Gwinnett, allowing five hits and three runs in two innings.
“It was a little bit different mindset-wise,” Wilson said. “But I just need to go and if I make the pitches, it’s the same as starting.”
Snitker indicated Wright would just work as a reliever, though he didn’t completely rule out getting him a start, but given Wright’s innings and the alternatives, it’s considered unlikely. The righty pitched 138 innings across Double-A and Triple-A this season.
“For one, keep an eye on my innings because I was just getting up there in my first full year and they wanted to play it safe,” Wright said of his move to the bullpen. “And they said there was a chance (I’d get called up), but I took that with a grain of salt and did what I could to get better. Hopefully get out of the bullpen. I did it my freshman year in college. Brought back some good memories. So I feel like I was able to adjust easily.”
The team acquired Rivera earlier in the week as a more reliable catching option than Chris Stewart, whom the Braves designated for assignment and traded to Arizona. Rivera, 35, will let the Braves use Kurt Suzuki or Tyler Flowers as pinch-hitters on whichever day he isn’t catching.
“It’s September baseball,” Snitker said. “It allows you to do some things you couldn’t do before.”
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