The Braves went into Monday with a 6 1/2-game cushion in the National League East, and they still found a way to address a clear need. Atlanta added to its bullpen in a deal with the Los Angeles Angels, bringing in left-handed reliever Brent Suter.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported the trade, with the Braves sending infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Los Angeles in return.
Trade news: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring left-handed reliever Brent Suter from the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr., sources tell ESPN.
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 3, 2026
Suter’s season got off to a rough start, but he has settled in nicely since July. He made eight appearances that month and posted a 2.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings. In August, he has already thrown two scoreless innings and struck out one batter in his lone outing.
For Atlanta, the move also comes with a clean roster fit. Alvarez had appeared for the Braves in 2024 and 2025, but each time it was as a replacement for injured players. Across those two stints, he logged 218 at-bats and hit .216/.277/.298, leaving him without much of a lane in Atlanta.
The Braves are expected to deploy Suter as a lefty specialist, especially in a National League packed with dangerous left-handed bats like Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Luis Arraez and others. If he handles that job, Atlanta could head into the postseason with one of the league’s strongest bullpens.
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Solers season never gave the Angels much reason to hold firm for long. He hit .203 with 12 home runs in 86 games, production that made him one of the clearer candidates to be squeezed off a roster that needs cleaner answers in the outfield and more consistent offense overall. Whether another club takes the look now is the next question, but for the Angels, the decision to reset the spot has already been made. [Read more 🡒]