Braves acquire an experienced reliever in trade.
Originally reported on MLB Trade Rumors | By Anthony Franco. Last updated: 5/2/24.
The Braves have acquired reliever Jimmy Herget from the Angels for monetary considerations, the two organizations announced. After dismissing David Fletcher last week, the Braves had an open spot on their 40-man roster. They optioned Herget to Triple-A Gwinnett, so no more moves were required.
Herget has worked with the Halos since 2021. Los Angeles signed the sidewinding righty to a minor league contract in August and selected him two weeks later. Herget made 14 appearances with a 4.30 ERA down the line, keeping his spot on the 40-man roster. The South Florida product continued his career in 2022. He pitched 69 innings for a personal best 2.48 ERA, striking out 23.7% of opponents while walking only 5.6%.
The next season, a surge in home runs prompted the Halos to move Herget between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake. He averaged 4.66 earned runs per nine over 29 MLB innings and a comparable 4.68 over 32 2/3 frames in the Pacific.
. The Angels rebuilt their bullpen last offseason, sending Herget back to Salt Lake to begin the season.
The 30-year-old has made ten appearances for the Bees, pitching 11 1/3 innings. He has given up seven runs (five earned) on ten hits. Herget has only issued one walk, but opponents have hit four home runs in the early going. The Angels designated him for assignment over the weekend when they added Zac Kristofak to the MLB roster. (When the Angels chose Willie Calhoun on Wednesday, Kristopher was also designated for assignment).
Herget is in his last option year, which means the Braves may keep him in Gwinnett for the remainder of the season without placing him on waivers. He has a 3.47 ERA in 142 2/3 major league innings.
Atlanta has a solid relief corps but limited roster flexibility. Only one of the eight relievers in the current MLB bullpen, Dylan Lee, can be optioned. Herget joins Ray Kerr and Daysbel Hernández on voluntary assignment, while Gwinnett’s non-roster bullpen includes Ken Giles and Jackson Stephens.
