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Braves make slew of roster moves after ninth inning collapse

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 7:17 PM ET

If this isn’t rock bottom, I’m scared for the future.

After a disappointing first two games of their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Braves held a six-run lead going into the ninth inning in the series finale, but that wasn’t enough for Scott Blewett and Raisel Iglesias. The two combined to surrender seven runs in the final frame, leading to a sweep for the Snakes and a fourth straight loss for the Braves, who have fallen to 27-34 on the season.

Following the game, the team made a slew of roster moves and added yet another player to the IL. Braves legend Craig Kimbrel will finally join the club . To make room for him, Scott Blewett has been designated for assignment. Daysbel Hernandez is the player heading to the IL after leaving Wednesday night’s game with an injury, and in his place, Dylan Dodd has been recalled.

In addition to bringing up Craig Kimbrel, the #Braves are going to put RH Daysbel Hernández on the IL, a source told The Athletic, and they've DFA'd RH Scott Blewett and and recalled LH Dylan Dodd.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 5, 2025

Craig Kimbrel probably should have been on the Braves roster weeks ago, and if he had been, today might have never happened. He’s been lights out with the Gwinnett Stripers, posting a 2.00 ERA and 11.5 K/9 over 18 appearances. However, banking on a 37-year-old Kimbrel to save this bullpen is wishful thinking. The days of him blowing 100 MPH heaters past opponents is well in the rearview, even if he still has the stuff to strikeout a lot of batters.

It’ll be interesting to see how Brian Snitker decides to utilize his relief core with Kimbrel in the fold and Daysbel Hernandez on the IL. My guess is that Kimbrel will get the save opportunities moving forward. Even if he hasn’t pitched well at the major-league level in a calendar year, the Braves can’t keep trotting Raisel Iglesias to the mound in close games, and nobody else on the roster has experience in the ninth inning.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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