Atlanta adds some pitching depth in a minor trade with Pittsburgh.
This afternoon, the Atlanta Braves announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league outfielder Titus Dumitru and cash. The 40-man spot the team needed for Stratton – who was optioned to Triple-A – was created by Chris Sale shifting to the 60-day IL.
The #Braves today acquired RHP Hunter Stratton from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for OF Titus Dumitru and cash considerations, and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred LHP Chris Sale to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 1, 2025
It is unfortunate, but not unexpected, news for the Braves and Sale who fractured his rib cage and was placed on the IL on June 21, retroactive to June 19. The left-hander would be eligible to return in the last 10 days of August.
As for Stratton, 28, he had appeared in three games with the Pirates this season, pitching 2.2 innings. He did appear in 36 games out of bullpen last season and was effective enough to put-up 0.7 fWAR.
Stratton debuted with the Pirates in 2023 after an impressive couple of seasons at Triple-A where he struck out almost 12 batters per nine innings. However, his strikeout numbers have declined slightly at both the MLB and minor league level since 2023.
Dumitru was in his four season in the Braves minor league system, playing at Rome this year.