Braves Rumors: Michael Harris II breakout, pitcher returns, top trade chips
Braves Rumors: Michael Tonkin returns from IL for needed pitching boost
Things for the Braves bullpen have largely settled down, at least in terms of the panic meter that was pulsing heavily at the start of the year, as AJ Minter has rounded into form, the same of which is true for a litany of other veterans. But the depth is still being tested at times. Thankfully, that will be less of an issue after some news on Thursday.
Michael Tonkin, who had been on the 15-day IL with a neck injury, was reinstated ahead of the series finale against the Mets. As a result, Roddery Muñoz, who was just called up earlier this week, was optioned back to Gwinnett.
The #Braves today returned RHP Michael Tonkin from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list. The club optioned RHP Roddery Muñoz to Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 8, 2023
Tonkin has been a valuable cog in the Braves bullpen this season, even if an unspectacular one. The veteran has averaged just a hair over 2.0 innings per apperance on the year as the go-to long reliever out of the bullpen, and has performed well with a 3.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP for the multi-inning option.
His return now is crucial, though. Atlanta called up young top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver and used him in his first outing in a similar role to the one that Tonkin often is while the veteran was on the IL, but now the 20-year-old is set to get his shot at joining the rotation with his first MLB start. That would’ve left the Braves with few or limited long-relief options to turn to, a problem that’s now avoided with Tonkin reentering the fray.