Braves Shake Up Bullpen, Adding Tyler Kinley and Trying JR Ritchie as Starter

Waldrep’s Early‑Season Trouble Fuels Roster Shake‑Up

Hurston Waldrep’s first three outings of 2026 have been a study in disappointment. After a solid 56 ⅓‑inning stretch the previous year—68 ERA‑, 79 FIP‑, 89 xFIP‑ and 1.2 fWAR—the right‑hander sprained his elbow and spent a rehab stint in the minors before his promotion. His 2026 debut was a two‑inning relief appearance with a 3:4 K:BB ratio; the next start saw a 4:1 K:BB line over five innings, but a hit‑by‑pitch and a three‑run home run left the Braves down early. The nadir came in Pittsburgh, where he surrendered a long ball to Ryan O’Hearn and fell behind the curve in a blowout loss.

Tyler Kinley Returns from Paternity Leave, Beefing Up Bullpen Depth

The Braves announced that Tyler Kinley will be activated after his paternity time off, giving the bullpen a “bulkier” feel for the next stretch. The move underscores a need for extra arms after Waldrep’s shaky outings and Ritchie’s uneven relief work. Kinley’s reliability has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s late‑inning mix, and his return adds a proven veteran arm to a group that has been stretched thin.

JR Ritchie Gets Another Shot as a Starter

Mark Bowman reported that the Braves plan to turn JR Ritchie loose on Sunday as a starter, giving the rookie a second opportunity to find his footing after a rough July. Ritchie’s batting line of .108/.130/.116 shows he is still adjusting to the majors, and he has been used as a multi‑inning filler in relief. After a dozen relief appearances that performed below replacement level, the start offers a chance to reset his rhythm—if the whole staff can stay healthy long enough to avoid another early‑season collapse.

Looking Ahead: Does This Moves Help the Braves’ Postseason Hopes?

The trio of changes—activating Kinley, shuffling Waldrep, and experimenting with Ritchie—reflects the Braves’ scramble for reliable bullpen arms early in the season. With Waldrep’s struggles and Ritchie’s sub‑par relief metrics, the addition of Kinley provides a stabilizing force while the team evaluates its young arms. If the bullpen can firm up over the next week or two, the Braves may still stay in contention for the division title.