Danny Young returned to the Atlanta Braves in 2026 with high hopes of contributing as a left-handed reliever, but his season ended in disappointment after he was designated for assignment in August. Young had spent two years with the New York Mets before returning to Atlanta on a one-year split contract, yet his performance on the mound did not match the expectations set for a pitcher coming off major elbow surgery. The veteran right-hander had a career ERA- of 100 but posted a 191 ERA- in 2026, marking a significant drop in effectiveness that led to his removal from the active roster.
The story of Young’s 2026 campaign is one of a player trying to regain his form after Tommy John surgery only to find that his stuff was not the same. Battery Power notes that Young was projected as a replacement-level reliever or slightly above, but he finished the season with a negative fWAR of -0.5, erasing all the positive value he had accumulated in his previous big league appearances. His inability to miss bats and control his command resulted in a rough landing for a pitcher who had once shown promise as a specialist against left-handed hitters.
A Short Career Before the Mets Departure
Danny Young first joined the Braves in August 2022 after the Seattle Mariners designated him for assignment, and the team claimed him just five days later. According to Battery Power, he made his major league debut eleven days after the claim, pitching 2 2/3 innings in his only appearance for the club that year. Interestingly, the Braves sent him back down to the minors even though he surrendered zero runs and zero walks in that brief stint, showing that the team had high standards for their bullpen usage.
Young made eight appearances for the Braves in 2023 before electing free agency after the season ended. He then signed a minor league deal with the rival New York Mets and stayed with the organization for two seasons. Battery Power reports that his 2025 season with the Mets was cut short due to Tommy John Surgery, which forced him to miss the entire year and undergo a long recovery process before he could pitch again.
Before his surgery, Young had built a career line of 100/80/80 on ERA-, FIP-, and xFIP-, which showed he was an average pitcher overall. Battery Power explains that he was particularly effective against left-handed batters with a FIP and xFIP around 3.00, but he struggled against right-handed hitters with a FIP closer to 5.00 and an xFIP near 4.00. This split performance made him a candidate for a lefty-specialist role, though his lack of innings and recent injury raised questions about his future.
The Expectations for a Post-Surgery Return
When the Braves reacquired Young in the offseason, the expectations were low given his history and the fact that he was coming off a serious elbow injury. Battery Power states that he was signed to a one-year split contract, which meant he would earn a major league salary if on the active roster and a minor league salary otherwise. The team viewed him as depth in case injuries hit the pitching staff, but they did not expect him to be a key part of their bullpen plans.
There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Young’s ability to return to form after Tommy John surgery, as recovery is often not a linear process. According to Battery Power, despite previous achievements, the pitcher logged under 61 big league innings, creating uncertainty regarding his future performance. The question was whether he would be healthy enough to pitch effectively or if the surgery would have permanently altered his stuff and command.
Despite the uncertainty, Young was projected as a replacement-level reliever or slightly above coming into the 2026 season. Battery Power explains that this projection made sense given his background as a better-than-average pitcher who had limited experience at the major league level. The Braves hoped that if he could stay healthy, he might provide some value as a left-handed option in specific matchups, but the risk was always high.
Disappointing Results on the Mound
Young appeared in sixteen games for the Braves in 2026 but only pitched 12 1/3 innings, which was the second-highest total of his career. Battery Power reports that the overall results were not great, with an ERA- of 191, a FIP- of 186, and an xFIP- of 146. These numbers indicate that he was significantly worse than the league average, and the phrase “not great” is actually an understatement for how rough his season was.
His final fWAR of -0.5 erased all the positive value he had built up in his previous career, showing that his 2026 performance was a step backward. Although he was out of options, he was re-added to the 40-man roster earlier in the offseason, even though this move concluded his season with the team.
Young’s control issues were a major problem, as he walked as many batters as he struck out in his first twelve appearances. A nasty 8/8 K/BB ratio in that span, notes Battery Power, is a poor indicator for a pitcher attempting to escape difficult situations. While he managed to skate by for his first twelve games without much damage, the underlying numbers suggested that he was due for a bad outing at some point.
What Went Right in a Bad Season
Despite the poor overall results, Young did have a few moments where he managed to get through innings without giving up runs. Battery Power reports that runs were charged against him in only two of his first twelve outings, a surprising feat considering his struggles. He even earned three shutdowns to one meltdown in July, which helped the Braves a fair bit during that month.
Two notable outings stood out during his season, including a game on July 5 where he struck out two batters against his former employer, the New York Mets. On July 26 in Baltimore, Battery Power highlights a game where he pitched the tenth inning and gained from a lineout to first allowing Matt Olson to step on the bag ahead of the runner. Young did not stick around after that close call, but it was a lucky break that helped him avoid a bad result.
His first twelve appearances showed that he could still get outs, even if the underlying metrics were not promising. Battery Power explains that he had a bizarre 49/141/137 line in that span, which can happen in a small sample size. While the luck was on his side during this stretch, it was clear that he was not pitching at the level he needed to be to stay on the major league roster.
The Control Problems That Hurt Him
When Young’s luck ran out, his control problems became the main issue that led to his failure. According to Battery Power, his first twelve games featured a nasty 8/8 K/BB ratio, meaning he walked as many batters as he struck out. This lack of command made it difficult for him to get through innings without giving up runs, and it eventually led to his downfall.
The Braves needed a pitcher who could control the strike zone, but Young was unable to do that consistently throughout the season. Battery Power notes that his FIP and xFIP numbers were much higher than his ERA in some stretches, which suggests that he was getting lucky with balls in play but was still giving up too many free passes. This inconsistency made it hard for the team to trust him in high-leverage situations.
Young’s inability to miss bats also hurt his performance, as he did not have the stuff to overpower hitters like he did in the past. Battery Power reports that his velocity and movement were not the same after his surgery, which made it easier for batters to make contact. This lack of stuff combined with his control issues created a perfect storm for a bad season.
The Future for the Left-Handed Pitcher
Although Young is out of options, he remains controlled at the league minimum rate, meaning the Braves can retain him within the organization if they wish. However, his performance in 2026 makes it unlikely that he will be a part of the team’s plans.
At this point, Young will need to prove that he can still pitch at a major league level, and he may need to find a new team to do so. Battery Power explains that the Braves designated him for assignment and outrighted him to the minors, which means he could be claimed by another team or sent to the minor leagues. His future is uncertain, but he will need to show improvement to get another chance.
The Braves will likely look for other options in their bullpen for the 2027 season, and Young may not be one of them. Battery Power notes that his career is at a crossroads, and he will need to make a significant improvement to stay in the majors. If he cannot fix his control and command issues, he may have to accept a role in the minor leagues or retire from professional baseball.
Comparison to Other Braves Pitchers
Young’s struggles in 2026 were not unique to him, as other Braves pitchers also faced challenges after returning from injury. Battery Power reports that AJ Smith-Shawver also had a rough season after his own Tommy John surgery, and he was unable to make it through five innings in a start. This trend of pitchers struggling after surgery shows that recovery is a difficult process for many players.
Connor Thomas also had a brief and disastrous stint with the Braves before being traded to the Kansas City Royals, where he found success. Battery Power notes that Thomas was a ground ball machine for the Royals but was unable to replicate that success with the Braves. This highlights the difficulty of fitting into a new team and the importance of finding the right role for a pitcher.
The Braves have a history of taking risks on pitchers coming off surgery, but the results have been mixed. Battery Power explains that the team needs to be careful when signing these players, as the risk of failure is high. Young’s 2026 season is a reminder that even a talented pitcher can struggle after a major injury, and the team must be prepared for that possibility.
