Atlanta Braves Part Ways With 9-Year MLB Veteran

The Atlanta Braves designated right-hander Elieser Hernández for assignment on Wednesday, opening a 40-man roster spot for left-hander Bailey Falter, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett, via the MLB transaction log.

The club also placed Bryce Elder on the 15-day injured list after arthroscopic right-knee surgery and activated Reynaldo López from the injured list.

It is the third time Hernández has been designated in the past seven weeks. The 31-year-old Venezuelan has become Atlanta’s swing veteran: a pitcher who cannot be optioned but is willing to shuttle between Truist Park and Gwinnett whenever the bullpen needs a fresh arm.

Earlier this year, Carlos Carrasco filled the same role and was designated seven times before leaving for Korea. Hernández now appears next in that rotation.

On the field, his latest Braves stint was short but effective. Across four appearances and 11 innings this season, he posted a 2.45 ERA, striking out 11 and walking six while allowing 10 hits and three earned runs. He is 2-0 with one save. In Triple-A, the results have been more mixed: a 4.54 ERA over 81 1/3 innings split between starting and relieving.

Hernández has been a major-leaguer since 2018. Miami selected him in the Rule 5 draft and he debuted that May, spending five seasons with the Marlins as both a starter and reliever.

Stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers followed in 2024, then two years with the LG Twins of the KBO. He signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta last November and has been recalled three times in 2026. Career MLB numbers sit at 12-22 with a 5.01 ERA in more than 300 innings.

The corresponding move brings Falter, acquired from Kansas City at the trade deadline and stashed at Gwinnett, onto the active roster.

Atlanta needed a left-handed option after Hernández threw two innings and 49 pitches Tuesday against Tampa Bay, leaving him unavailable for several days. Elder’s knee procedure, which could keep him out up to four weeks, added another layer of roster math.

If Hernández clears waivers, he can elect free agency. Past practice suggests he may quickly re-sign with Atlanta on another minor-league contract and wait for the next call.

For a pitcher who has bounced from Miami to Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Seoul, and now Atlanta since 2018, the DFA is less an ending than another stop on a familiar circuit.

The Braves get a fresh arm; Hernández remains organizational depth until the next vacancy.