The Braves added depth to their bullpen before likely sell-offs later in the week.
The Atlanta Braves kicked off their 2025 Trade Deadline, not by selling, but buying reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies for RHP Austin Smith.
The Braves are acquiring RHP Tyler Kinley from the Rockies for a prospect, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2025
Kinley, a pure reliever, is 34-year-old veteran who’s pitched across 8 different major league seasons, mostly with the Colorado Rockies. In total, Kinley has 306 career innings pitched, posting a 5.08 ERA, a 4.41 FIP and striking out more than a batter per inning. In 2025, Kinley has thrown 48 innings, with a 5.66 ERA and a 4.14 FIP while striking more than a batter per inning with a 9.63 K/9.
Kinley is under team control for the rest of 2025 and also has a $5M club option for 2026 with escalators attached based on games finished.
It might be somewhat surprising for the Braves to be buying anything at this point, but given they will likely be saying goodbye to multiple relievers in the next 48 hours, they’ll need arms in bullpen to cover innings the rest of 2025, and again, Kinley also has team control for 2026.
Smith 26, was the Braves 18th-round selection in the 2021 MLB Draft and had 5.40 ERA over 31 innings in AA Columbus this season.