The Braves announced today that left-hander Ryan Rolison has been designated for assignment. That’s the corresponding 40-man roster move for the club’s signing of right-hander Robert Suarez.
Rolison, 28, has never pitched for Atlanta. He spent his entire professional career with the Rockies until a few weeks ago. Colorado needed to open some roster space for new additions and designated him for assignment. The next day, he was traded to Atlanta for cash considerations.
The Rockies had selected him 22nd overall in the 2018 draft and he was a notable prospect for a few years but he hasn’t yet delivered on that pedigree. He lost some time on his way up the minor league ladder. The pandemic wiped out the minors in 2020 and then Rolison dealt with some injuries, mostly shoulder problems.
He finally made it to the big leagues in 2025 but didn’t find immediate success. He logged 42 1/3 innings for the Rockies this year, allowing 7.02 earned runs per nine. His 47.9% ground ball rate was pretty good but his 10.4% walk rate was subpar and his 13% strikeout rate very low. His minor league numbers this year were far better. He tossed 29 2/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with a 3.34 ERA, 25.2% strikeout rate, 7.1% walk rate and 48.8% ground ball rate.
Rolison still has an option remaining, so he doesn’t need to be guaranteed a major league roster spot. Atlanta was intrigued enough to grab him in a cash deal but he has been squeezed off the roster.
Atlanta will now have seven days of DFA limbo to work with. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so they could take up to five days to explore trades. Rolison has a previous career outright and would therefore have the right to elect free agency if he is passed through waivers unclaimed. If any other club acquires him, he has between two and three years of service time, meaning he comes with four years of potential club control.
Photo courtesy of David Frerker, Imagn Images
Build the statue for him!
Cubs on line one.
Rolinson to the Angels?
I saw he was traded from the Rockies for cash a couple of weeks ago. It was only a small news snippet and not reported on mlbtr nor anywhere else so wasn’t sure if true. Is this the same guy?
I’m sure it was a different Ryan Rolison.
Lol thanks for helpful insight. I don’t remember the pitchers name.
It was reported by MLBTR, and yes, this is the same guy.
Ahhh it was i see it now, completely overlooked it. Thx.
It’ll be cool if he gets through waivers for you guys. He would be some decent high upside depth to have. Maybe the Atlanta pitching department can get something more from him
Noooooo! I already bought the jersey!
Wait actually. Can you refund it?
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!
It’s puzzling to me that you would trade for someone that would be the first person you cut when u sign someone of the same position … I understand it’s very little money overall to their budget but why waste it. I assure u they could have found someone just as good for just as cheap later.
Bravesfan, I agree with you 100 percent, it’s waste of money. I know mlb teams have money, but that is such a waste of money
They’ve got 7 days to trade him. If he makes it through waivers, there’s a chance he re-signs on a minor league deal.
Nope. Claimed.