The Atlanta Braves have given a bit more clarity on their bullpen construction for 2025. On Monday, the Braves traded lefty Angel Perdomo to the Angels. Atlanta will receive a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Perdomo was considered one of the favorites this spring to earn a spot in the bullpen. However, his velocity hasn't been anything impressive and that's to be expected with returning from Tommy John surgery.
Still, he wasn't awful with a 2.16 over 8.1 innings pitched with two runs, three hits, four walks, six strikeouts, and a .120 opponent's average. It seems the Braves didn't like what they saw and decided to move him.
According to Braves insider Justin Toscano, the choice to trade Perdomo happened because they'd already decided he wasn't going to make the team. Toscano stated rather than passing him through waivers, "they traded him to get at least something for him."
Braves trade of Angel Perdomo paved the way for Craig Kimbrel to return home
However, it seems the trade of Perdomo was a precursor for the Braves to bring back a familiar face. Atlanta surprised everyone with the announcement that they'd signed former closer Craig Kimbrel on a minor league deal. He will make $2 million in 2025 and they plan on having him as part of their bullpen.
Obviously, he won't be ready on Opening Day and will need at least a month to get ramped up. Kimbrel is a shell of his former self but still had great strikeout and whiff rates last season with the Orioles.
"It's awesome for him and great for Braves fans... also, a chance for [Craig] Kimbrel to find redemption."#MLBTonight reacts to Atlanta's all-time saves leader reportedly returning to the franchise. pic.twitter.com/72f2qiKU66
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 18, 2025
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Kimbrel will spend about a month in the minors to ramp up. Once that ends, he's expected to join the big league roster if everything goes well.
With these recent moves, we have a pretty decent idea of how the bullpen will be constructed. Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee, and Daysbel Hernández are practically locks for the relief core on Opening Day.
Enyel De Los Santos, Hector Neris, and Anderson Pilar seem like the clear options to round out the bullpen on Opening Day. Pilar did have a really bad outing against the Phillies so that could bump him out of contention. Eventually, one of these three will be bumped off the roster when Kimbrel is ready to join the team.
Spencer Strider will also join the roster in about a month. Once that happens, the Braves have a big decision to make with the bullpen. Grant Holmes, Ian Anderson, and AJ Smith-Shawver are all fighting it out for the final rotation spots.
Smith-Shawver still has a minor league option left, so he could sent to Triple-A and one of Anderson/Holmes could be relegated to the bullpen for a long relief role. The other could remain in the rotation.
This is how the bullpen could look once Kimbrel joins:
Raisel Iglesias (closer)
Aaron Bummer
Pierce Johnson
Dylan Lee
Craig Kimbrel
Hector Neris
Enyel De Los Santos
One of Grant Holmes/Ian Anderson
The Braves aren't going to be depending on Kimbrel to be their closer or even their setup man. If he performs well, he will be added to the roster. If he doesn't, they'll cut their losses and move on. Hopefully, he's able to pitch well and give Braves fans some really fun nostalgia.