The Atlanta Braves have continued to give every possible arm from Gwinnett a chance to make the Major League roster. In recent memory, the standards have never been lower to make Atlanta's bullpen or starting rotation. A lack of investment from a cheap front office and a myriad of injuries have left the team searching for answers.
For the rotation, this is due to the fact that Chris Sale, AJ Smith-Shawver, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach are all on the injured list. Spencer Strider is the last starter standing and that is after missing the first chunk of the season due to rehabbing from last season's injury.
All of this adds up to the Braves consistently moving through different pitching pieces and that continued this week with the release of Dylan Covey. The right-hander struggled in limited outings and made it clear he wouldn't be a part of the team's future moving forward. This left the Braves little choice but to turn the page and search for another answer that can help the roster make it through the end of this season.
The Braves Continue to Cycle Through Bullpen Pieces
Covey was never a highly thought of piece in Atlanta's system, but simply a cheap investment the team gave a chance. It will be interesting to see what the Braves bullpen looks like after this year's trade deadline. At the very least the team should move on from Raisel Iglesias, Aaron Bummer, and Pierce Johnson. All are important pieces in the back of a pen that simply hasn't had the needed answers for the franchise.
Resetting the bullpen is the right move and perhaps allows you to add a piece or two that will help the 2026 roster. Iglesias is set to hit free agency and isn't going to be Atlanta's closer moving forward based on this year's performance. While selling low is never a savvy move it is the only choice the Braves are left with based on the team's current standing.
Covey won't be the last Atlanta pitcher to depart in the next weeks of the season with the move only setting the stage for what changes should be coming for Atlanta.