The Atlanta Braves added Josh Tomlin and Yonder Alonso to the 40-man roster today, per David O’Brien of The Athletic.
Tomlin, 35, spent last season in the Braves bullpen. It was his first year away from the Cleveland Indians, where he spent the first nine years of his career as a sometimes-regular piece of the rotation. Pitching out of the Braves pen in 2019, Tomlin appeared 50 times (with 1 start as well), going 2-1 with a 3.74 ERA/4.49 FIP across 79 1/3 innings. He’ll continue to be a long man for the Braves in 2020.
Alonso has bounced around in recent seasons since his days as a regular first baseman with the Padres and A’s. After coming up with the Reds, he has also appeared in the bigs with the Mariners, Indians, White Sox, and Rockies.
The Braves’ roster construction has gone through a number of potential iterations since the restart was announced. Freddie Freeman’s debut was at risk after he tested positive for coronavirus, but their franchise first baseman is back and he plans to be ensconced in the middle of the lineup by Opening Day.
Still, Alonso provides the Braves with a safety net. He struggled mightily to start the year in 2019 while in Chicago (.178/.275/.301 across 251 plate appearances), but after joining the Rockies, Alonso stepped up his production to .260/.357/.479, albeit over a small sample of just 84 plate appearances. Alonso has experience in the DH role, and he’ll compete with Adam Duvall, Austin Riley, and Charlie Culberson to snag the extra ABs afforded by the universal DH. The 33-year-old is a career .259/.332/.404 batting line with 100 home runs over his 10 years in the bigs.
Tomlin wasnt bad last year butif the Braves make it, lets hope hes not getting meaningful innings in the postseason again.
As long as he doesn’t get starts I’m happy. I’d rather see the kids taking his innings wright, Wilson; Davidson
Tomlin made a start late last year and was good in that start. I’m ok with Tomlin having spot starts in a crunch.
I don’t mind this at all but I will be concerned if tomlin is coming in to pitch the 8th with Luke Jackson pitching the night to try and hold a one run lead. I mean it worked a couple times but Jackson blew like 10 saves. I know we got will Smith Greene and Melancon but just seeing him get added reminds me that even though he was suppose to be the long man him and luke were pitching crucial innings late in games and blowing a lot of them, overall they both had solid seasons but still we don’t need that again
I don’t love Yoder on the 40 man… I just think there are better options. I know the 40 man doesn’t mean much in playing terms… but I don’t like the idea of him playing at all. We have multiple just as good if not better DH and backup 1B options
Agreed
Amen. There are a lot better options out there, even internally. I just don’t see the need to give him a 40 man spot.
I think it’s a waste, unless he is hitting like he did in Oakland a couple years ago then he needs to be dropped after about a week if he sucks. I know that’s not really fair or a lot of time for a guy to really prove himself but we are only playing 60 games which means we don’t have time for people to get going or get out of slumps, if it isn’t Freddie,acuna, or Ozzie then if you are slumping and someone else is hitting well then they got to go
I guess this means the Puig ship has officially sailed?!
If Markakis was playing this year, I doubt Alonso makes the team or the 40 man roster.
Experience at DH…..hmmm
That is kinda funny.
I hear he’s got experience jogging 90 feet too
Not just a one trick pony
I like and get Tomlin. But why Yonder? let drew waters or somebody, anybody else play DH
Also does that mean Charlie clutch isn’t getting a spot?
Idk why the Braves would keep Alonso over Culberson, especially without much Of depth. Charlie has to make the team.
Plus at the very least, Culberson is so much more versatile. He’s even been a better batter than Alonso the past two years aswell.
Charlie can play any position except catcher. defensively he is typically average to above average at each spot. He can even strike you out with a mean curveball and hit 94mph off the mound in a blowout.
There was only one open spot on the 40-man. Was someone let go or put on the IL?
Will Smith?
Markakis opted out and Jeremy Walker is on the 45-day, which opens up the two spots.
Forgot about Nick. Thanks!
Just when you think the Braves are moving in the right direction they pull a donkey move. Alonso????? #DefundtheBraves
World Series locked
Alonso instead of Matt Adams…..brilliant?
I don’t get it either man.
Adams wasn’t available when they promoted Alonso. Maybe they’ll make a change. They could put him on waivers fairly safely, I think.