Atlanta Braves Getting Another Bullpen Weapon?

The Atlanta Braves could be getting another bullpen weapon if Brandon McCarthy can become healthy enough to finish what will be his final season. Where would McCarthy fit in the Atlanta pen?

Brandon McCarthy struggled to start for the Atlanta Braves this season and has been out with an injury for the last few weeks of the season.  If he makes it back in what will be his final season he will be pitching out of the bullpen.

Adding Brandon McCarthy into the Atlanta bullpen would be an interesting wrinkle for the Braves. He could eat longer innings or come in to get a key ground ball for Atlanta.  Adding him in makes the bullpen a bit deeper and adds a skill set they lack.

For McCarthy, it would allow him to play a role on a postseason team before retiring without continuing to struggle through starts.

Starting for the Braves this year he has a 4.92 ERA and has under 80 innings pitched this season. Continuing to start with six weeks left in the season isn’t an option for Brandon. But having his veteran presence around the team and in the bullpen during a potential postseason run could be huge.

While he shouldn’t be used in any high leverage late-inning situations adding him in as a mop-up pitcher or on a matchup basis would improve the Braves depth.

Brandon McCarthy has enjoyed a 13-year career often marred by injuries. Still, McCarthy is a respected veteran starter who has made a good living in Major League Baseball and is set for one final run with Atlanta.

The Braves are getting set for an important run over the next six weeks and need every bit of help they can get. Currently, Atlanta is holding onto a 1.5 game lead over the Phillies with six weeks left in the 2018 season.