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NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 14: James Karinchak #00 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch during the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves on March 14, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, FL. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Braves have released 11.5 million dollars of bullpen funds that were committed to Aaron Bummer and Joel Payamps. A few relievers, like Carlos Carrasco, Ian Hamilton, and Osvaldo Bido, have come and gone (and/or come and gone in a circular pattern). Meanwhile, James Karinchak has been silencing Triple-A batters in obscurity. I know he might have some questions around him, but he has a 2.84/3.14/3.24 line and a 36.0% strikeout rate in Gwinnett and the Braves won’t leave the country anyway. Does his absence have anything to do with his velocity dropping from 94.8 to 93.0 MPH? Probably, but also who cares? If he grabbed an inning or two here and there, it may help out the Braves. He could join the Cookie Carrasco Caravan, which I imagine consists of a rented Escalade that Carrasco drives to the next city after he gets designated for assignment.
Rowdy Tellez was a signing late in March. Tellez did not complete Spring Training but did play in the World Baseball Classic. The first few weeks looked very much like a Spring for Rowdy, but even with that slow start he has an .876 OPS and a 124 wRC+ in Triple-A overall. I imagine the issue here is that Matt Olson mans his primary position. Ronald Acuña Jr, the thermonuclear Dominic Smith, and when available Drake Baldwin hold down the designated hitter spot. So I think he’s currently depth for Olson, and may be third on the depth chart because Smith may be ahead of him. He would definitely be a great option in that 28th man roster spot in September and pinch hitting option in October, should the Braves somehow manage to get there.
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