The Atlanta Braves made another bullpen tweak on Wednesday night, officially sending right-hander Michael Petersen to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations. It’s not a headline-grabbing blockbuster, but it’s the kind of midseason roster move that could quietly impact both bullpens down the stretch.
Petersen Reunites with a Familiar Club
For Petersen, it’s déjà vu all over again. He was with the Marlins as recently as last September, picked up off waivers from the Dodgers. Now, after a brief and uneven stint with Atlanta, he’s headed back to Miami — this time via trade.
Petersen, 30, made just four appearances for the Braves this season. He logged 6 2/3 innings and posted a 4.05 ERA — not disastrous by any stretch, but not enough to lock in a long-term role.
His last outing came on June 27 in a rain-delayed blowout loss to the Phillies, where he covered 2 2/3 innings in relief of Bryce Elder and gave up just one run. Serviceable, but clearly not enough to stay on a crowded 40-man roster.
The Braves designated him for assignment on Sunday in the middle of a roster shuffle that saw several bullpen moves heading into the All-Star break.
Braves Turn to Wander Suero
With Petersen out, the Braves turned to right-hander Wander Suero, selecting his contract from Triple-A Gwinnett and immediately slotting him into the big-league bullpen. Suero had a quiet spring — just two Grapefruit League appearances — but he’s been lights-out in the minors. We’re talking a 1.50 ERA across 33 games, 11 saves in 11 chances, and solid strikeout numbers.
And just like that, he made his Braves regular-season debut on Sunday and looked sharp — two perfect innings, three strikeouts, and not a hint of rust. That’s exactly what Atlanta’s been hunting for: a dependable middle reliever who can keep the game steady when the pressure’s on.
Braves Reload for Second Half with Yankees Up Next
As the Braves get ready to kick off their second-half slate with a three-game homestand against the Yankees starting Friday, this bullpen recalibration feels timely. They’re trying to keep pace in the NL East and patch together consistency in the relief corps, especially with injuries and underperformance biting early.
