The newest acquisitions for the Atlanta Braves have arrived. Chris Martin, Mark Melancon, and Shane Greene have all been added to the active roster, and as a result, AJ Minter, Chad Sobotka, and Jeremy Walker were all optioned to AAA Gwinnett.
The #Braves today added RHP Shane Greene, RHP Chris Martin and RHP Mark Melancon to the active roster. To make room the club optioned LHP A.J. Minter, RHP Chad Sobotka and RHP Jeremy Walker to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 1, 2019
According to Brian Snitker (via Mark Bowman’s Twitter), Martin will serve as the primary set-up option to the new closer – Shane Greene. Melancon will join Luke Jackson and Sean Newcomb in middle relief and also serve as a set-up option at times.
AJ Minter and Chad Sobotka were the two obvious choices to be sent to Gwinnett. Sometimes it’s not about how hard you can throw it, as both have been wildly disappointing this season. I wouldn’t expect to see either of them on a playoff roster unless something drastic happens between now and then.
Rookie Jeremy Walker has also been optioned back to AAA. The sinkerballer looked promising in his first three MLB appearances, but with the new acquisitions, there is no longer a place for him in Atlanta. He should be back when the roster expands in September.
For a full review of how the Braves bullpen will shape up following the trade deadline, click here.