Braves trade for LHP pitcher from Rockies

The Atlanta Braves made another pitching move Wednesday as the club completed a trade with the Colorado Rockies for left-handed arm Ryan Rolison, adding a key option to the bullpen while once again targeting a former Rockies pitcher with rebound potential. The move gives the Braves a real chance to revive a once-promising profile and strengthen a group that must improve after a tough season.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) late this afternoon with a clear update after both clubs confirmed the deal. He shared the news in a direct note that outlined the structure of the move for fans and league observers.

“Atlanta acquires LHP Ryan Rolison from the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations.”

Rolison arrives as a former first-round pick who once carried strong expectations before injuries stalled his rise. His 2025 run with the Rockies showed uneven results, yet his minor league track record points to sharper command and a better strikeout rate. The Braves see a path to help him regain that form and believe his shift away from Coors Field may unlock the steadier version seen in Triple A. The 28-year-old southpaw now enters a system known for refining arms and giving struggling pitchers a chance to stabilize.

The pattern behind this type of move is clear when looking at two recent examples. When the club traded for Pierce Johnson at the 2023 deadline, he carried a 6.00 ERA with Colorado, yet he quickly settled in and delivered a 0.76 ERA for the rest of that season when arriving in Atlanta. The trend continued in 2025 with Tyler Kinley, who joined the Braves with a 5.66 ERA before turning in a dominant stretch that featured a 0.72 ERA across 25 innings. Those turnarounds set the stage for Rolison as the next arm placed in this proven system.

The addition also shapes the group. The Braves need more left-handed depth and Rolison helps fill that gap as the bullpen remains heavy on right-handed arms. His option year gives the club needed flexibility as new manager Walt Weiss works to steady the unit heading into the 2026 season.