The Atlanta Braves have had plenty of issues this season, but their starting rotation hasn’t been one of them. Braves starters are posting a 3.75 ERA this season and have been enjoying a breakout season from AJ Smith-Shawver to overcome a slow start and fight their way back into the National League East standings with a 22-22 record entering this weekend’s series with the Boston Red Sox.
With Spencer Schwellenbach, Chris Sale, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder performing well (and Spencer Strider on the way), there hasn’t been a lot of room for arms looking to crack the rotation. It led to some former Braves pitchers looking for an opportunity elsewhere, including one who is getting another shot shortly after his release.
Former Braves Pitcher Huascar Ynoa Signs With Mexican Team Shortly After Twins Release
The Mexican League’s Leones De Yucatán announced that they have signed former Braves pitcher Huascar Ynoa on Thursday, per MLB Trade Rumors' Darragh McDonald. The right-hander was looking to revive his major league career with the Minnesota Twins after signing a minor league deal last winter, but he allowed five earned runs in 4.1 innings with Triple-A St. Paul before he was released last month.
Ynoa came to Atlanta as part of the trade that sent Jaime Garcia to the Twins in 2018 and made his major league debut with the Braves in 2019. He spent parts of the next four seasons in Atlanta and went 4-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 18 starts during the Braves’ championship season in 2021.
Unfortunately, that season was marred when Ynoa broke his hand punching a dugout wall in May. He went back on the shelf after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2022 and missed more time last season with a stress reaction in his elbow. The injuries and poor performance (6.15 ERA in 26.1 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett last season) led Atlanta to non-tender him this winter and Ynoa couldn’t find his footing after returning to the Minnesota organization.
The fact no other team came calling after Ynoa was released by the Twins doesn’t look good for his major league career. But he’s still just 27 years old. After tossing two scoreless innings in his debut on Thursday night, Ynoa could find his way back to the majors if he can shake off the rust and prove he can stay healthy.