The Atlanta Braves have selected the contract of RHP Dereck Rodriguez and he will replace Jared Shuster on the roster.
Shuster pitched for the Braves Saturday in their 11-5 loss to the Marlins. It's been an up-and-down season for Shuster, literally. He's not been able to find any sustained success at the MLB or Triple-A levels.
The #Braves today selected the contract of RHP Dereck Rodríguez to Atlanta after optioning LHP Jared Shuster to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred LHP Dylan Lee to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 17, 2023
In order to make room for Rodriguez on the 40-man roster, reliever Dylan Lee was transferred to the 60-day IL due to soreness in his left shoulder.
It was pretty much expected that the Braves would transfer Lee at some point because he was never expected to return this season. Lee was expected to be a big part of this bullpen so it's unfortunate injury derailed those chances.
Rodriguez has appeared on the active roster for the Braves this season in three games allowing just one run over 3.1 innings. He has been with Triple-A Gwinnett most of the season and features a 6.45 ERA and 4.71 FIP in 23 appearances.
Dereck was outrighted by the Braves back in July so that's why he was no longer on the 40-man roster. He featured a 9.80 ERA for the month of August after that point so it has not been a great year for him.
The month of September has been better so far for him as his ERA sits at 2.00 through 9 total innings. Opponents are batting just .214 against him in that time frame as well. Rodriguez has made it known from his call-up earlier this season that he's happy to take the ball whenever the Braves need him.
"Whenever they give me the ball, I'm good."
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 27, 2023
RHP Dereck Rodriguez comments on the moment he realized he was being called up & his relationship with other players in the clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/VEFpKde8Z3
He likely will be seen as an innings eater for Atlanta if things go poorly for the Braves starters. If his number is called, hopefully, he will be able to replicate his recent success in the month of September.