Atlanta Braves relievers Lucas Luetge and Dereck Rodríguez have officially elected free agency, per reports.
Luetge, 36, pitched in 12 games for the Braves this season, with a 1-0 record and 7.24 ERA. Acquired via trade from the New York Yankees in December for minor leaguers Indigo Diaz and Caleb Durbin, Luetge struck out 14 in his 13.2 innings of major league work. He also walked seven and gave up two homers.
Luetge opened the season in Atlanta, struggling to a 8.10 ERA in his first five appearances before a biceps injury forced him to the injured list. Finally returning to Atlanta in May, he gave up five runs and seven hits in just three innings and was sent down to AAA, appearing in the majors only three times between July and the rest of the season.
Rodríguez, 31, was claimed by Atlanta off of waivers from the Twins in May. He appeared in only three MLB games during his Atlanta tenure, giving up eight runs on eight hits and four walks in just 4.2 innings.
Both players were designated for assignment in September and, after successfully passing through waivers, were sent outright to AAA Gwinnett.
They continue to add to the potential attrition among Braves relievers, with several of Atlanta's bullpen arms either eligible for free agency or possible non-tender candidates due to the cost of their team options.
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