FEB. 26: Pfeifer has been outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves announced.
FEB. 23: The Braves announced Tuesday that they’ve designated left-hander Phil Pfeifer for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for corner infielder Jake Lamb, whose non-guaranteed Major League deal is now official.
Atlanta picked up the now-28-year-old Pfeifer in a 2016 trade with the Dodgers and selected him to the 40-man roster in Nov. 2019 to protect him from that year’s Rule 5 Draft. He’s yet to make his Major League debut, though it’s possible he’d have been called upon had their been a full 162-game slate played in 2020.
Pfeifer was hit hard in his first go-around at Triple-A in 2018 and hasn’t gotten much of a chance to redeem himself at that level thanks to last year’s lack of a minor league season. He did post very strong numbers between Double-A and a quick 7 1/3-inning return to Triple-A in 2019, however. On the whole, he tossed 133 1/3 innings of 2.97 ERA ball between the two levels that season, adding in impressive strikeout (28.7) and walk (7.6) percentages.
Pfeifer has a pair of minor league options still remaining, so he could pique the interest of a club with more acute pitching needs. At 28, he’s a bit old to be considered a “prospect,” but outside of an ugly 40 innings of Triple-A work in 2018, the lefty has a strong minor league track record.
Would’ve expected Soroka to the IL.
Maybe his recovery makes the 60 day IL imprudent?
Phreeing up a spot on the phorty man roster made Phil Pfeifer the easier choice.
Ahh, torn achilles is easier to rehab than tommy john (i assumed he blew out his arm). Sixth month rehab should be up by now.
I’m glad Pfiefer made it through waivers. I just wish the Braves had been able to do the same thing with Jeremy Walker. Something tells me Walker is going to be more valuable for the Giants now than Guilermo Heredia, Ehire Adrianza or Abraham Almonte will be with the Braves. Getting all 3 of those bench guys instead of just getting 2 of them and keeping Walker seems like it could end up being a big mistake. Walker has pitched well during his opportunities and has a career ERA in the 2.00’s. I know ERA doesn’t mean much nowadays, especially for a reliever, but something tells me that will still be better production than Heredia, Adrianza or Almonte provide.
Should’ve been Phil Ervin getting the DFA.
I’m expecting Soroka to be ready for opening day.
Typical Braves Move…
That most be your signature comment lol!
Relief pitcher AND left fielder, shouldn’t that be worth two roster spots? Ahahaha!
wrong Phil, should’ve been Phil Ervin
He’ll get picked up by a team that isn’t stacked in the bullpen. There’s really no harm in taking a shot if you aren’t bumping actual prospects off your 40 man.
to be fair, better relievers have made it through this offseason
Yeah, but I’m pretty sure that was likely due to the amount of money they were owed.. Pfeiffer is the perfect opener or long man out of the pen that you can take a gamble on for the minimum!!
He should easily get scooped up. The Braves ONLY saving grace is that hopefully most teams already have the majority of their 40 man spits accounted for…Then again, I could just see a team like the Pirates designating a much less talented pitcher to give PP a chance…
Whichever team that gets him very well could be getting a future steal!! PP on the Rays could actually end up being one of the better low key pickups this offseason. I could see them really allowing his stuff to play up, and they’d eventually use him as one of their openers!!
This was not a good decision by the Braves, they could have gotten rid of someone else. Pfeiffer still has shown some promise, and has shown he can succeed in a variety of roles..
Lol I think your higher then most when it comes to pfiefer. He seems to have upside yes but I wouldn’t put him on the major league roster over ppl like newk, touki Wilson, or any of our top prospects. I wouldn’t mind the Braves giving muller the Chris sale treatment this year.
Phuked up Phil’s phriggen day.
Phucked up Phil’s phriggen day pho’real.
It wasn’t funny the first time.
Wow Marty, you sure do love pestering people dont you?
I thought it was.
It posted tuh tuh twice due duh dumba$$
Gotta give it more than that… Phil Pfeifer fought forty freezing phosphorescent pheasants, forthcoming fortunately forewarned from following phenomenal philosophical physics? I’ve really got to stop procrastinating on this site.
Pfor the love of god no!
Trying to sneak him through since all the 40 man rosters are full. Unless somebody’s has a guy they can 60 day DO I see him making it through.
Cards are at 38 or 39 I think, might be a good add. If he’s traded to another team does he have to be added to the 40 and if ever sent down passed through waivers?
Exactly, the Cardinals could definitely use Pfeiffer!! They could end up acquiring him, and using him alot like they’ve used another former Brave in John Gant!!
Gant was a borderline starter/reliever, and was able to indice weak contact and strike some guys out, just like PP. The Cardinals have used Gant in a variety of roles, and he just continues to go out there and pitch his butt off…PP will give you the exact same thing, he could even become an opener for the Cardinals and give them 2-3 very solid innings each time out..
If he’s used as an opener, I could see PP giving whichever team an easy ~2-3IP, ~2-3H, ~1R, ~0-1BB, and ~3-4K each and every time out!! That is a pitcher that has value, and PP still has alot of potential. It makes no sense why the Braves didn’t just release someone else…
This very well could be a mistake by AA and Co., but I truly hope they’re able to get him back!!
What does “indice” mean? Think you meant induce.
What has more value, a 25 yr old with no options left, or a 28 yr old with 2 options?
Sounds like someone the Brewers would take a chance on.
He’s not sneaking through. Will be claimed. Too much upside. Reality is 13 start the season. How many see action on the mound during the season? Injuries demotions. Can be tethered back and forth (AAA-MLB) Has value.
Wrong.
TBH, I also thought that some team would claim him, specially the Angels or other teams that need pitching help.
I’m glad to be wrong!
Wrong.
Not to be confused with Pfil Pheifer.
Go Tigers!
Glad we got to keep him. Think he can make the bigs in the pen for us
Shouldn’t his name be spelled Pfil? Seems to make more sense that way.
Meanwhile, Al Avila let’s them keep Demeritte for nothing……..
Taking a chance in someone named Pfeifer is always a good thing.
What the heck is Al thinking?
PP is actually recently ranked in our top 30 prospects by some. Would have make sense for a rebuilding team to grab him instead of letting us keep him. Not saying he would have been a difference maker, but could be a decent bullpen arm once the rebuild is complete ya know? Now, hopefully we can package him in a trade to take our team to another lvl or address a need at the deadline. Top 30 prospects always make a package a tad better looking