Spring training often brings a flurry of transactions, reminding us of players who are still making their mark in the league. This year, the Braves made a notable move by signing former Guardians reliever Kyle Nelson to a minor league deal just as spring training wrapped up.
Nelson, who last pitched for Cleveland nearly five years ago, found success with the Arizona Diamondbacks before injuries took a toll on his career. Now, he's looking to make a comeback with the Braves, potentially strengthening their pitching lineup.
Drafted by the Guardians in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Nelson spent five seasons in their system. He made brief major league appearances in 2020 and 2021, pitching 10 1/3 innings. After being designated for assignment post-2021, he was quickly picked up by the Diamondbacks.
Nelson thrived in Arizona, boasting a 2.19 ERA over 37 innings in 2022 and a 4.18 ERA in a career-high 56 innings in 2023. His contributions extended to five postseason innings during Arizona’s World Series pursuit. However, his momentum was halted by thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and his return last season was challenging, with a 9.36 ERA in Triple-A and a fastball velocity drop from 92 mph to 89.9 mph.
Despite these setbacks, the Braves see potential in Nelson, adding him as a depth option. They've already signed another former Guardians reliever, James Karinchak, who impressed during spring training but was sent to Triple-A due to the team's demanding early schedule.
Currently, Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer are the Braves’ primary lefty relievers. Nelson, with one minor league option left, could step into one of these roles if needed, offering the Braves flexibility as the season progresses.