Braves Bullpen Shakeup: Kerr Recalled, Young DFA’d
Atlanta Braves Make Bullpen Changes Before Sunday Game
What Happened?
The Atlanta Braves shook up their bullpen (the group of relief pitchers) right before their Sunday game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They made two big moves:
- Added Ray Kerr to the major league roster
- Removed Danny Young from the roster
Important Point: These moves happened on August 16, 2026, just before game time in Atlanta.
Who Is Ray Kerr? (The New Guy)
The Basics
- Age: 31 years old
- Throws: Left-handed
- Role: Relief pitcher (comes in during the middle or end of games)
His Journey Back
Ray Kerr’s return is quite a comeback story! Here’s what happened:
- 2024 Season: Pitched for the Braves in the big leagues
- Injury: Needed Tommy John surgery (a major elbow surgery for pitchers)
- 2025 Season: Didn’t pitch at all — spent the whole year recovering
- Mid-July 2026: Returned to the mound in the minor leagues
- Recent Performance: Pitched 9 games across 4 different minor league teams, including the top-level Triple-A Gwinnett
His Numbers Look Good!
| Stat | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 3.09 ERA | Allowed about 3 runs per 9 innings (pretty good!) |
| 16 strikeouts | Got 16 batters out by striking them out |
| 11⅔ innings | Total innings pitched in his comeback |
ELI5 Explanation: ERA stands for "Earned Run Average." Think of it like a report card — lower is better. A 3.09 is like getting a B+!
Who Is Danny Young? (The Guy Leaving)
The Basics
- Age: 32 years old
- Throws: Left-handed
- Role: Relief pitcher
His Time With the Braves
- Record: 0 wins, 1 loss
- ERA: 8.03 (this is high — means he gave up lots of runs)
- Games: 16 appearances
The Final Straw
On Saturday, Young had a rough outing in a 10-3 loss to the Diamondbacks:
- Gave up 3 earned runs
- Allowed a home run
- This likely pushed the Braves to make a change
Why Do Teams Do This?
"Designated for Assignment" — What Does That Mean?
When a team designates a player for assignment (DFA), it means:
- The player is removed from the 40-man roster immediately
- The team has 7 days to:
- Trade the player
- Release the player
- Send them to the minors (if they clear "waivers" — meaning no other team claims them)
Important Point: This is basically the team saying "we need this roster spot for someone else, but we haven’t decided Danny Young’s final fate yet."
Why Recall Kerr Now?
- The Braves needed a fresh left-handed arm in the bullpen
- Kerr has major league experience (pitched for them in 2024)
- His recent minor league numbers are strong
- Young was struggling (8.03 ERA is tough to keep a job with)
What This Means for Sunday’s Game
- Kerr is available to pitch out of the bullpen
- Young is gone — won’t be in the dugout
- The Braves get a healthier, sharper lefty option for late-inning situations
- This shows the team is trying to win now — they didn’t wait to see if Young would improve
Summary
| Move | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Added | Ray Kerr (31, LHP) | Strong comeback from Tommy John surgery; good minor league stats (3.09 ERA) |
| Removed | Danny Young (32, LHP) | Struggled with 8.03 ERA; rough outing Saturday (3 runs, HR allowed) |
The Braves are betting on Kerr’s comeback story over Young’s recent struggles. Only time will tell if it pays off!
FAQ
What is Tommy John surgery?
A: It’s a surgery to replace a torn ligament in the elbow (the UCL) with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. It’s very common for pitchers. Recovery usually takes 12-18 months, which is why Kerr missed all of 2025.
What does "Triple-A" mean?
A: It’s the highest level of minor league baseball — one step below the major leagues. Players in Triple-A are either prospects developing or veterans waiting for a call-up. Gwinnett is the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate.
Why does being left-handed matter for relievers?
A: Left-handed pitchers have an advantage against left-handed batters (it’s harder for them to hit). Teams like to have at least one lefty in the bullpen for matchup situations late in games.
Can Danny Young come back to the Braves?
A: Yes, but only if he clears waivers (no other team claims him in 7 days). If another team wants him, they get him. If not, the Braves can send him to the minors or release him.
How many pitchers can a team have on the roster?
A: MLB teams can carry 13 pitchers on their 26-man active roster (as of 2026 rules). Every spot counts, so teams constantly shuffle pitchers based on performance and needs.