The Atlanta Braves wasted no time getting newly acquired right-hander Dane Dunning into the mix. Less than 12 hours after finalizing a late-night trade with the Texas Rangers, the Braves announced Friday morning that Dunning has officially reported to the big league club and is ready for action in this weekend’s high-stakes home series against the New York Yankees.
Dunning was acquired Thursday night in exchange for reliever José Ruiz and cash considerations. In a move that’s become a running gag among Braves fans, Jesse Chavez was designated for assignment again to clear room on the 40-man roster. You know the drill — don’t count him out for a seventh return just yet.
Role for Now: Long Relief, But Rotation Help Isn’t Off the Table
For now, Dunning is expected to work out of the bullpen as a long relief option, but his starter’s background is well-documented. Of his five MLB appearances this season, all came in long relief, including a pair of three-inning outings. He owns a 3.38 ERA over 10 2/3 innings in the bigs this year, and down at Triple-A, he’s been stretched out as a starter, logging 11 starts and topping out around 70 pitches.
Don’t expect to see Dunning take the ball in the first inning this weekend — but Saturday might just be his debut, especially if the Braves are playing matchups or managing pitch counts.
Saturday’s Setup: Wentz to Open, Dunning Likely Next
The Braves are handing Saturday’s start to Joey Wentz, a fellow long relief arm who made his Braves debut last week with three solid innings. Wentz hasn’t started a major league game since 2023, and like Dunning, he’s more stretched than a traditional reliever but not quite ready to give you six-plus innings on his own.
That’s where this could get creative: Wentz and Dunning, working in tandem, could realistically give Atlanta five or six combined innings before handing things off to a well-rested bullpen. With the Braves dealing with a rotation that’s been absolutely gutted in recent weeks, covering innings creatively is the name of the game.
Rotation Rebuild Still in Progress
The Braves have been playing rotation roulette ever since losing Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach to the IL in June. Add in the long-term absences of Reynaldo López and AJ Smith-Shawver, and you’ve got a pitching staff being held together with duct tape and good intentions.
Manager Brian Snitker has dipped into bullpen-day territory twice recently with mixed results. While nothing is confirmed, both Dunning and Wentz have the resumes and stamina to be potential short-term rotation solutions if stretched out over a few outings.
This Weekend’s Braves Rotation Outlook
Here’s how the Braves are lining it up against New York:
- Friday: Spencer Strider (3-7, 3.94 ERA)
- Saturday: Joey Wentz (0-0, 0.00 ERA with Braves) — with Dunning likely in relief
- Sunday: Grant Holmes (4-8, 3.77 ERA)
With Atlanta in survival mode when it comes to starting pitching, Dunning’s arrival is timely — and if all goes well this weekend, we might be looking at the beginning of another unexpected (and much-needed) rotation option for a Braves team still in the fight.
