Atlanta Braves Surprisingly Cut Ties With Key Pitcher

The Atlanta Braves designated veteran right-hander Tyler Kinley for assignment on Tuesday, clearing a roster spot to recall right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Smith-Shawver is scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Minnesota Twins.

The move ends Kinley’s latest chapter with Atlanta after he had become a regular presence in the club’s bullpen.

The 35-year-old joined the Braves in a 2025 trade-deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies and immediately delivered, posting a 0.72 ERA over 25 innings after the swap. That late-season surge led Atlanta to re-sign him in January to a one-year, $4.25 million contract that included a $5.5 million club option for 2027.

Kinley has been a workhorse this season. In 49 appearances he went 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA, 42 strikeouts in 42.2 innings, a 1.29 WHIP and one save.

Through his first 30 innings he was even better, holding a 3.00 ERA with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate and an 8.1 percent walk rate. Those numbers reflected the reliable middle-relief presence the Braves had counted on since acquiring him.

The recent stretch, however, proved more difficult. Dating to July 3, Kinley compiled a 6.39 ERA in 12.2 innings and allowed home runs at a career-high rate of 1.9 per nine innings.

His signature slider, which limited opponents to a .297 slugging percentage last year, has been less sharp this season, with hitters slugging .449 against it. The elevated fly-ball rate and home-run issues ultimately factored into the decision.

Even with the late-season dip, Kinley’s overall body of work in an Atlanta uniform since the 2025 trade remains solid: a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 67.2 innings.

That track record is why the DFA came as a surprise to some observers. The first-place Braves (74-51) now turn to the younger Smith-Shawver to help stabilize the rotation as they push toward October.

Kinley will be placed on waivers. He is still owed roughly $642,000 in remaining 2026 salary plus a $1.25 million buyout, leaving about $1.89 million on the books.

That financial commitment could deter some clubs, but quality relief pitching remains scarce this time of year, and Kinley’s earlier success may generate interest.

For a pitcher who helped stabilize Atlanta’s bullpen through much of the past year, the next stop is now up to another team.