It feels like it’s been at least a little while since the Braves have engaged in bullpen swapsies (indeed, the May 20 acquisition of Anthony Swarzak was the most recent reliever-for-reliever roster move), but they’re at it again before Game Two of their series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Huascar Ynoa from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned RHP Dan Winkler to @GoStripers.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 15, 2019
Dan Winkler has had a very rough go of it in 2019. After failing to make the team out of Spring Training, he was recalled in mid-April and has scuffled since, with a gross 113 ERA- / 135 FIP- / 114 xFIP- in 27 appearances, good for -0.3 fWAR. He’s lost over 1 mph on his fastball and has struggled to get whiffs in the zone, and has been a net negative in context, with -0.06 WPA on the year. Winkler gave up two runs in last night’s come-from-behind victory, and this move is probably less a reflection on his subpar season to date than the team’s need to add a fresh arm to its relief corps.
Huascar Ynoa is being called up to the majors for the first time in his career. Ynoa started the year at High-A but was quickly promoted to Double-A and then to Gwinnett, where he made five starts and three relief appearances with a 5.36 / 6.36 / 4.95 pitching triple-slash. As such, he probably won’t see any high-leverage innings, but gives the Braves a new mop-up option should they need one.