Just a day removed from their worst loss of the 2026 season, the Atlanta Braves are making a string of roster moves ahead of game two against the Miami Marlins.
The Braves social media team wrote (on May 19):
“The #Braves today selected C Chadwick Tromp to the major league roster and placed C Drake Baldwin on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle. Atlanta also returned LHP Dylan Dodd from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list after optioning RHP JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game, and recalled RHP Víctor Mederos while releasing LHP Aaron Bummer from the roster.”
Atlanta recalled Victor Mederos last night, so it became clear that some corresponding move would be made. That move is releasing the struggling reliever Aaron Bummer. Bummer is on a two-year, $13 million contract.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Aaron Bummer #49 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning on Opening Day at Petco Park on March 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
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Atlanta Braves Release Aaron Bummer
DENVER, CO – MAY 3: Relief pitcher Aaron Bummer #49 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
After Aaron Bummer’s outing on Monday against the Marlins (six earned runs over 1 IP, and 2 HR allowed), releasing the 32-year-old southpaw feels like the right roster move.
However, this slew of roster moves by the Braves is kinda hard to digest. First, in kind of a shocking move, Drake Baldwin heads to the IL. It’s unclear when he sustained an oblique injury, but Chad Tromp will now take his place, and Dylan Dodd will slot in as another lefty for Walt Weiss to use out of the bullpen.
Aaron Bummer had posted solid numbers with the Braves in 2024 and 2025 (or at least serviceable numbers), but 2026 has not been kind to the 10-year MLB veteran. Bummer has an ERA of 7.63 over 15+ innings this season, and has allowed six home runs to go along with 10 walks issued. Those aren’t serviceable numbers, and with the rest of the Braves bullpen being very productive, Atlanta can’t afford Bummer to keep giving up runs in bunches.
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Other Braves News….
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 16: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds third base after hitting a solo homer to lead off the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on May 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
As I noted, there’s a lot to digest from this roster move post by the Atlanta Braves social team.
First, JR Ritchie is being demoted, and it’s unclear for how long. Much like Aaron Bummer on Monday, Ritchie got roughed up in his start, and will likely spend at least a start or two in Triple-A to ease back into things. After all, he is the Braves most prized prospect.
And the Drake Baldwin news is also striking. Baldwin has been one of the best hitters in the Braves’ order this season (him and Matt Olson).
It will be interesting to see if any of these roster moves affect the Braves either negatively or positively. Releasing Aaron Bummer is definitely a positive roster move, but will Dylan Dodd be a productive player in his place?
As for the Baldwin and Ritchie news, lucky for Atlanta, they have a solid cushion in the NL East (for now) to allow Baldwin some time off.
Atlanta Braves Release Struggling $13 Million MLB Pitcher As Part of Several Roster Moves