Braves Seen as Possible Destination for Former Guardians $33M Pitcher

With injuries plaguing the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation — Spencer Strider sidelined again and Reynaldo López out indefinitely — the team is in urgent need of reinforcements. According to Jeremy Lockett of Athlon Sports, one potential solution could be former Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie.

“Atlanta’s track record with reclamation projects and the lack of depth in their pitching infrastructure make them an intriguing possible landing spot for McKenzie,” Lockett wrote. Rather than expecting immediate returns, the Braves could view McKenzie as a low-risk, high-upside investment. His current salary of $1.95 million makes him an affordable option who could either be developed further or used out of the bullpen.

At just 27 years old, McKenzie still has plenty of promise. Back in 2021, he posted an impressive 2.96 ERA across 31 appearances. While his performance has been inconsistent since, a change of scenery — especially to an organization known for revitalizing pitchers — could be exactly what he needs.

Given Atlanta’s 9-14 start and their growing gap in the NL East standings, taking a chance on a pitcher like McKenzie may be a smart, low-stakes move that could pay dividends.