The Atlanta Braves' bullpen is in a difficult spot. After faltering Monday night against the Mariners, it is clear that Tyler Kinley can’t be relied upon in leverage situations at the moment and that the Braves should try to move on from Aaron Bummer as soon as possible. Robert Suarez and Dylan Lee have been great, but they can only cover so many innings, which is exactly why Raisel Iglesias' return from the IL is so welcome.
Iglesias went on the IL with shoulder inflammation after he slept wrong, which is honestly pretty relatable. As long as he doesn't start complaining about his knees when there is rain in the area, random bouts of soreness just happen sometimes. The Braves were insistent that Iglesias would not miss much time, and that proved correct when the team revealed that Iglesias would be activated on Tuesday.
So we knew that Iglesias would be coming off the injured list, but we didn't know what the Braves' corresponding move would end up being. That was revealed on Tuesday, and the Braves are turning to a familiar roster casualty as Carlos Carrasco was designated for assignment again.
The #Braves today reinstated RHP Raisel Iglesias from the injured list and designated RHP Carlos Carrasco for assignment. Additionally, LHP Dylan Dodd tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. The club also transferred INF Ha-Seong Kim’s rehabilitation…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 5, 2026
Braves officially bring Raisel Iglesias back from the IL while getting a positive update on Dylan Dodd
For those of you feeling some deja vu at the moment, it is because the Braves designated Carrasco for assignment last week as well when Dylan Lee was reinstated from paternity leave. The odds are very good that Carrasco will clear waivers and end up back at Triple-A Gwinnett to wait for his next chance to make a spot start in a pinch or be a multi-weapon relief depth option. He truly is the Braves' new Jesse Chavez.
Other than "losing" Carrasco, the news here is really good. Other than Iglesias coming back to give the Braves' bullpen some help they sorely need, Dylan Dodd is beginning his rehab assignment in Gwinnett as well. If you want to identify a prime candidate to potentially replace Bummer, circle Dodd's name. It also seems like Kim is progressing through his rehab well and should be activated from his own injured list stint soon.
With Iglesias back, we should start to see Suarez in his usual setup role that has caused the Braves fits over the last couple of weeks. That doesn't really solve Kinley's issues, and Bummer will remain around until the Braves put Dodd and/or another lefty in the pen. However, it is a good start.
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