The Braves tweaked their bullpen ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Phillies, recalling left-hander Dylan Lee and designating right-hander Tyler Thornburg for assignment.
Braves fans were introduced to Lee last season. The team signed the southpaw in April 2021, not long after the Marlins released him. He appeared in two games at the end of the regular season – making his MLB debut Oct. 1 – but it was the postseason when Lee became a known name.
Lee, 27, appeared in a National League Championship Series game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. As if that wasn’t a big enough stage, he twice pitched in the World Series, including starting Game 4. He rejoins the Braves as the third active lefty in the bullpen, along with Will Smith and A.J. Minter. Lee, capable of providing length, has a three-pitch mix that includes a curveball and change-up. The Braves are short a left-hander in Tyler Matzek, who’s on the injured list with shoulder inflammation.
Lee had a 2.30 ERA in 14 games at Triple-A Gwinnett this season, striking out 23 against two walks. He held opponents to a .237 average over 15 ⅔ innings.
“Dylan has been throwing well,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We have experience with Dylan. He did a good job here last year. He’s been throwing well, and he’s a guy who can go multiple innings. When he was here before, he was efficient with his pitches. Hopefully he can continue what he’s been doing in Triple-A.”
The Braves signed Thornburg, 33, to a one-year deal in mid-March. Thornburg was a true flier, having pitched less than 50 innings across the past five seasons, including none in 2021. He’d had past success, though, highlighted by a 2016 campaign in which he had a 2.15 ERA with a 90:25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 67 games for the Brewers.
Thornburg, who attended Riverwood High School, didn’t rediscover that form with the Braves. He surrendered six runs (four earned) in 9 ⅓ innings. Three of those runs came in a May 10 appearance against Boston. He walked four hitters over his past two appearances (two innings) while logging two strikeouts.
The Braves began a four-game series against the Phillies on Monday at Truist Park. Entering play, both teams were 19-22, eight games behind the Mets in the NL East.
Another replica ring giveaway
Fans waited outside Truist Park as early as Monday morning for the team’s second replica ring giveaway Monday night. The first was April 11. Fans will have two more opportunities for a replica ring giveaway game: June 8 against the Athletics and July 11 versus the Mets.
“It’s crazy and great,” Snitker said of fans flooding the gates to receive replica rings. “They should be (excited). It’s a really cool thing that they feel that way. I know a lot of people are real proud of those things when they get them and rightly so. They should be.”
Johan Camargo returns
Former Braves utilityman Johan Camargo returned to Atlanta for the first time Monday as a Phillie. Camargo, 28, played with the Braves from 2017-2021, even at times handling starting third-base duties. He was most successful in his first two seasons, hitting .281/.343/.455 with 23 homers and 103 RBIs over 216 games.
Camargo received his World Series ring from Snitker during an on-field ceremony before the game. Truist Park gave Camargo a nice applause. He played shortstop and hit eighth for the Phillies in the series opener. He’s been a solid pickup for Philadelphia, hitting .260 with three homers and 11 RBIs while playing strong defense.
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