The Atlanta Braves continue to be fascinated by bargain bin free agent options when it comes to the team's relief core. It was an obvious need at the end of the 2024 season and has become all the more glaring with the struggles of Raisel Iglesias. However, the team remains content to shuffle around pieces at the back of the pen and continued this trend early in the week. After moving on from Scott Blewett and Craig Kimbrel, the Braves added Jose Ruiz in hopes of finding a long relief option. When this predictably failed, the team sent Ruiz to Gwinnett looking for another possible option. While the search continues, the team has added a familiar name back into contention.
John Brebbia has rejoined Atlanta after spending time with the Detroit Tigers and working his ERA well over seven in a failed stint. Brebbia was a part of Atlanta's bullpen for a short time last season, appearing in five games. The career minor leaguer had a solid debut in Atlanta but wasn't impressive enough to continue to earn appearances. This led to the reliever's exit and a failed opportunity with the Detroit Tigers.
John Brebbia Has Returned to the Braves Organization
Prior to tonight's @GoStripers 2nd-half opener in Norfolk, INF Luke Waddell reinstated from IL (had been out since 4/21) and RHP Jose Ruiz joins active roster (outrighted by @Braves on 6/22). Atlanta also signed RHP John Brebbia to MiLB deal and assigned him to Gwinnett.
— Dave Lezotte (@DaveLezotte) June 24, 2025
It isn't a stretch to believe that with the team's current options, we could soon see Brebbia at the Major League level. If the veteran reliever is anything close to capable with the Gwinnett Stripers, it is unquestionably worth a try. The wiser move for the Braves would be searching for long-term answers to a group that needs stability. Asking Brian Snitker to manage this group and consistently win games has presented an impossible task.
The addition of Brebbia isn't changing this, and dependent on the minor league results could fail to impact it whatsoever. Regardless, it isn't a bad depth move for a team that continues to refuse to make an obvious decision. Atlanta needs to spend to replace what has been lost and be willing to step out of the circular decision-making they have walked themselves into during the 2025 season.
With this in mind, the addition of Brebbia isn't a bad move, but one that is underwhelming when it comes to the concerns the team is facing and what should be done to fix them.