The Atlanta Braves are going through yet another tough stretch in their hard-to-watch 2024 season. While Braves fans don't have it as bad as the White Sox faithful, this season has been hard to watch at several points.
Last night felt like another "rock bottom" as the visiting Milwaukee Brewers routed the Braves. The starter of last night's game, Bryce Elder, was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett following the game. Atlanta has recalled left-handed pitcher, Dylan Dodd in Elder's place.
Dodd will serve as bullpen depth
Dodd has pitched 91 innings for Gwinnett this season and owns a 4.85 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. According to Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman, Dodd will be available out of the bullpen over the next couple of days.
Dodd has been yo-yo'd between Atlanta and Gwinnett before this season to provide this same cushion, however, he's yet to appear in a game for Atlanta this season. Dodd started seven games for Atlanta in 2023 to the tune of a 7.60 ERA.
Dodd will be available out of the pen over the next few days https://t.co/z1Dq2lIpON
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 7, 2024
It's likely Dodd is keeping the seat warm until the Braves figure out if starter Reynaldo Lopez can come back when he's eligible to be activated from the injured list in about a week. It seems the Braves are going to give Grant Holmes at least one more start, so Dodd's ability to cover innings will be valuable to the bullpen over the next few days.
It's crucial the Braves get their best arms the ball soon because, after last night's results across the league, Atlanta finds themselves clinging to the final NL Wild Card spot. Once the Braves finish up this series with the Brew Crew, they will journey out for a ten-game, ten-day West Coast trip. Then it's back home for a vital homestand featuring the Phillies and Nationals.