The Atlanta Braves continued to tinker with their pitching staff on Tuesday.
The club acquired right-hander Ben Heller from Tampa Bay, a trade that came hours after the Braves recalled RHP Roddery Munoz and outrighted left-hander Lucas Luetge to Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves assigned Heller to Gwinnett.
The moves come a day after Atlanta optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Soroka to Gwinnett and moved staff ace Max Fried (forearm strain) to the 60-day injured list.
Heller, 31, designated for assignment by the Rays, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2020. The Rays received international bonus pool money from the Braves. Heller is 2-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 31 relief appearances, all with the New York Yankees. He’s 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA at Triple-A Durham this season.
To make room for Heller on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated outfielder Nick Solak for assignment. He appeared in one game for the Braves this season as pinch runner, with a run scored.
Soroka is working his way back from twice tearing his right Achilles tendon. He missed more than two full seasons.
Munoz, 23, is a reliever who has yet to make his major league debut. This season, he has split time between Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi and has a combined 4.94 ERA in 27 1/3 innings.
The Braves designated Luetge for assignment last week after he posted a 1-0 record with a 10.24 ERA in nine relief appearances. With this move, the 36-year-old will be able to remain with the Braves without occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.
Luetge has a career 12-11 record and 3.67 ERA in 227 games (one start) over seven MLB seasons with the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Braves.
The Braves, who lead the National League East, open a six-game homestand on Tuesday against the New York Mets.
–Field Level Media
