It didn’t take long for former Atlanta Braves reliever Tyler Kinley to find a new team. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports that Kinley will sign a major league deal with the Detroit Tigers.
The Braves designated Kinley for assignment on August 18 to bring up AJ Smith-Shawver from the minor leagues. Smith-Shawver has since settled in the team’s rotation following his return from Tommy John surgery. Kinley was released by the club four days later.
The 35-year-old right-hander will have an opportunity to finish out his season with Detroit. The club has already made the necessary transactions, and he’ll start his tenure there immediately. He’ll spend the final five weeks of the season pitching for a 2027 opportunity.
The Braves will get a credit on their payroll around the prorated amount of the league minimum. That figure is estimated to be $166.5K by Roster Resource. Otherwise, the Braves are on the hook for the remainder of his $3 million salary and $1.25 million buyout on a 2027 club option.
Recapping Tyler Kinley’s Tenure With the Braves
GettyFormer Braves reliever Tyler Kinley lands a new opportunity with the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Braves acquired Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies ahead of the 2025 trade deadline for minor league pitcher Austin Smith. The right-hander had a 0.74 ERA in 24 appearances with Atlanta to close out the season.
Despite the strong finish, the Braves declined a $5.5 million club option. They re-signed him on a $4.25 million deal with an option for 2027.
Atlanta was likely banking on a continuation of his 2.74 FIP and 2.81 xERA since the trade. But ultimately didn’t happen. Kinley pitched to a 4.01 ERA in 49 appearances in 2026.
Perhaps more ugly than the ERA spike was the decline in his peripherals. Kinley’s home runs surrendered per nine innings jumped to 1.9. He had a career mark of 1.1 entering this season.
Also factoring into his ouster may be younger players stepping up. Right-hander Didier Fuentes and left-hander Dylan Dodd have emerged as reliable arms in the Braves bullpen. Fuentes has taken over Kinley’s intended role as a late-inning reliever.
With younger and more capable arms handling the late innings, the Braves elected to cut ties instead.
Kinley, with more than seven years of service time, was not a candidate to be optioned to the minor leagues and could reject an outright assignment. Which is why Atlanta chose a straight release instead.
Ex-Braves Reliever Tyler Kinley Signs With AL Central Team Following Release