The Braves got a big lift from Elieser Hernandez on Friday night, then turned around and made a roster move that sent him off the active list.
Atlanta designated Hernandez for assignment on Saturday and recalled left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas to take his spot. Hernandez had just delivered three scoreless innings in a tie game in his season debut, a performance that pushed the game to extras and earned him his first win since 2022.
The move was announced by the Braves on July 25, 2026:
The #Braves today recalled LHP Connor Thomas to Atlanta and designated RHP Elieser Hernández for assignment.
- Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 25, 2026
The decision came down to necessity more than anything else. With the rotation outside of Chris Sale failing to provide much length, Atlanta has leaned heavily on a bullpen that is already stretched thin. Hernandez’s outing against the Orioles cost him 48 pitches, which made him unavailable for the rest of the weekend - a tough spot for a team trying to manage innings against an Orioles lineup that has been producing throughout July.
There is still a path for Hernandez to remain in the organization if he clears waivers. But the Braves likely aren’t expecting the rest of the league to rush in after one strong appearance. He’s 31 and has appeared in only 10 major-league games since the start of the 2023 season.
Still, if this ends up being the last time Atlanta sees him, Friday night won’t be forgotten easily. His work helped keep the Braves moving, and with a little more than two months left, they now have a chance to tighten their grip on the NL East.
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