All eyes are on the Atlanta Braves before they host the 2025 MLB All-Star festivities next week. The annual star-studded spectacle isn't for another few days, though, meaning the Braves still have to get through this weekend's road series against the St. Louis Cardinals before the fun can begin.
As exciting as it is to think about next week's All-Star experience, the Braves are still focused on breaking out of their current slump. A 3-11 record in Atlanta's last 14 games has left Brian Snitker's club sitting 12 games below .500, forcing the Braves to shake up their roster with a bullpen move on Friday.
Braves Claim Twins LHP Joey Wentz, DFA RHP Kevin Herget on Friday
The Braves have announced that they have left veteran southpaw Joey Wentz off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins earlier this week. Wentz can't join the roster unless space is made, though, which is why Atlanta DFA'd right-handed hurler Kevin Herget in a corresponding move.
If Herget isn't traded or goes unclaimed on waivers, he can elect free agency in a week.
The #Braves today claimed LHP Joey Wentz off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and designated RHP Kevin Herget for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 11, 2025
Herget had been with the Braves since he was claimed off waivers in May following his being DFA'd by the New York Mets. He promptly reported to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he went 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 relief outings.
The strong minor-league performance led to Herget making his Braves debut on July 1; however, there was nothing to celebrate beyond that. The Teaneck, NJ native issued two walks on 32 pitches in a scoreless inning against the Los Angeles Angels and was shipped off to Gwinnett the next day.
Hopefully, Wentz has better luck in Atlanta's bullpen than Herget did. The 27-year-old lefty was volatile during his time with the Twins and the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitching to a 2-1 record with a 6.88 ERA and 1.824 WHIP in 25 games. His .859 OPS allowed certainly didn't do him any favors, either.
If his name sounds familiar to Braves fans, it's because Wentz was drafted 40th overall by the franchise in 2016. He spent four years in Atlanta's system, never reaching higher than Double-A, before being traded alongside Travis Demeritte to the Detroit Tigers for Shane Greene at the 2019 MLB trade deadline.
Sometimes, all a player needs is a fresh start, and the Braves are hoping that a reunion where his professional baseball career began will help Wentz turn things around.