Braves pick up contracts of Josh Tomlin and Yonder Alonso
The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday afternoon that they will be adding Josh Tomlin and Yonder Alonso to their Major League roster.
As the MLB is slated to start its 2020 season next week, teams have released their rosters and without a minor league season, along with players opting out or testing positive for COVID-19, last minute roster moves have come as no surprise.
One was just carried out by the Braves who announced that infielder Yonder Alonso and pitcher Josh Tomlin will be added to squads’ 40-man MLB roster just six days away from their Opening Day game against the Mets in New York City.
Alonso came into this season with the Braves as a new player who had experienced an absolutely horrendous season from the plate in 2019, ending the year with a batting average of .199.
He came to Atlanta on a minor league deal and would not have received playing time over usual first baseman Freddie Freeman. But back on July 5, it was revealed that Freeman was sick after contracting COVID-19.
Although Freeman was cleared to play on Friday, the Braves decided to keep Alonso on the roster as insurance.
While Alonso did not have a clear future with playing at the Major League level for the Braves, Tomlin came as less of a surprise
On the other hand, Tomlin was able to have success with Atlanta from the mound last season as a multi-inning reliever. Tomlin ended the 2019 season with an ERA of 3.74, along with 51 strikeouts compared to seven walks.
The Braves were impressed enough with Tomlin’s performance that he was offered another minor league contract after playing out his previous one year minor league deal with the squad last season.
Tomlin is also a versatile pitcher who has the ability to start games, and did start in one last season.
With the unprecedented circumstances that the Braves, and all of the MLB, are functioning in, roster moves will continue to occur even as the season goes on. But for now, the Braves are still taking their final steps to having their squad ready for Opening Day.