Atlanta Braves sign former Red Sox pitcher to minor league deal

Amid the lockout coming to a close and the free agency “frenzy,” we’ve been  anxiously awaiting the Braves to make a big move in free agency.

The Braves’ first deal, however, wasn’t the most flashy of deals. Per the Braves’ transaction log, the first move the Atlanta Braves made after the lockout concluded was signing former Boston Red Sox pitcher Brandon Brennan to a minor league deal.

A day after his March 10th signing, Brennan was assigned to the AAA Gwinnett Stripers.

Brennan becomes the 16th pitcher on the Gwinnett Stripers’ pitching staff that includes Bryce Elder, Kyle Wright and Darren O’Day.

He last played for the Boston Red Sox until his release on September 13, 2021.

Brennan, who was picked by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft, made his major league debut in March of 2019 for the Seattle Mariners.

After making the Mariners’ 2019 Opening Day roster, Brennan appeared in 44 games in relief for the Mariners.

In 47.1 IP with the Mariners, Brennan had a 4.56 ERA with 24 walks while striking out 49. Brennan also posted a 1.23 WHIP.

Brennan had much less playing time in 2020, appearing in just five games for the Mariners and spending lots of time on the 60-day injured list throughout the season. In just 7.1 innings pitched in 2020, Brennan had a 3.86 ERA while walking five and striking out seven.

Brennan was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox on May 3rd, 2021. After being assigned to the AAA Worcester Red Sox, he was called up to Boston a little over a month later.

In his one major league appearance with the Red Sox, he pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out one.

While Brennan will probably serve as nothing more minor league depth for the Braves, his big league experience could prove to be a good addition for the Braves’ minor league system.

If he gets the opportunity, he could potentially make the step up to pitch in the big leagues for the Braves.