ATLANTA – In a quiet but calculated move, the Braves are betting on a familiar arm to help reinforce their bullpen in the long term. Danny Young, the 31-year-old left-hander, is set to return to Atlanta after signing a split contract with the club, even as he recovers from Tommy John surgery performed earlier this year.
A Long Road Back from Surgery
Though the announcement might not come with the same buzz as a blockbuster signing, it speaks volumes about Atlanta’s approach to building a bullpen with depth and flexibility. Young, who underwent the elbow reconstruction procedure in May, will likely be sidelined for the beginning of the season, with standard recovery timelines ranging from 12 to 18 months.
Familiar Territory for Both Sides
Still, this isn’t an unfamiliar face. Young spent parts of 2022 and 2023 with the Braves, even appearing in eight big-league games during the 2023 campaign. He found more consistent footing with the Mets in 2024, logging a career-high 42 appearances and adding 10 more before injury cut his season short. With a respectable career ERA of 4.01, a notable 29% strikeout rate, and a walk rate under 10%, Young has shown flashes of being more than just a depth piece; he’s demonstrated he can get big-league hitters out with regularity.
Low-Risk Deal with Future Payoff Potential
His signing on a split deal is a low-risk investment for the Braves, offering a potential high-upside bullpen piece in 2026. A split contract, by definition, pays the player differently depending on whether he is in the majors or the minors. It also typically offers teams roster flexibility, a key element in today’s bullpen management, where shuttle systems between Triple-A and the big leagues are common practice.
Young was non-tendered by the Mets last month, a procedural move that opened the door for Atlanta’s front office to reacquire him. While the Braves are unlikely to count on him in the short term, their familiarity with his work ethic and repertoire gives them a reason to believe he could be a useful asset once healthy.
For a contending team that understands the value of bullpen stability, particularly in the late stages of the season, this quiet signing could prove quietly significant down the road.
