The Braves have re-signed righty Josh Tomlin, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman was among those to cover on Twitter. It’s a minor-league deal.
Tomlin, 35, was a steadying presence for the Atlanta organization in 2019. Over 79 1/3 innings of action in 51 appearances, he worked to a 3.74 ERA. Though he managed only 51 strikeouts, Tomlin also posted a typically stingy tally of just seven free passes.
One of the game’s softer-throwing pitchers, Tomlin also generates an abundance of spin on both his fastball and curve. With his consistently exceptional control, it’s just enough for the veteran to avoid hard contact — but he’s always walking a fine line. In 2018, opposing hitters produced a .396 wOBA (.379 xwOBA) with a whopping 3.20 home runs per nine. Last year, Tomlin managed to limit them to a .308 wOBA (.312 xwOBA) and a palatable 1.59 HR/9.
Clearly, Tomlin will have to earn his way onto the active roster in camp. It’s hard to handicap the odds at this point, but unless injuries intervene, the Braves could be left to decide between Tomlin and one of their younger arms for a seventh pen slot.
8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH
Oh ok
bravesfan
Can’t complain about this. He earn himself at least this. Rooting for him
JayeT
Dodgers can have Betts and Price. We just won the WS.
chopthatomahawk
Yep
Youtube.com/@PINGTR1P
It’s hard to believe he only gave up 14 hrs last season. It seemed like every time he came into the game he was giving up bombs. Not a bad guy to use in the right spots, e.g. in blow out games, which is when he mostly pitched.
JRamHOF
Best Josh on the 2019 Braves. Good move.
GoCardsGo
Lmfao.
Kocheese99
Cole Hamels is shut down for 3 weeks already. Has some left shoulder pain. 18M well spent. Figure that’s why Tomlin was signed.
Braveslifer
T.O.R. arm incoming shortly…
Judge Judy
Wait…… My beloved Yankees are implicated in the cheating scandal?? Explains Judge’s homeruns after never hitting more than 20 at any minor league level. He started working with Beltran! This is really depressing for me.
Buzzed Capra
Your personal life must be really great and trouble-free if this causes you to be depressed. I wish I could live such a life.
its_happening
Chris Young, Apple watches.
bigbadjohnny
Cole Hamels out for three weeks….sore shoulder…….will be looked at after that…….
here comes another option between Cubs & Braves to make a deal……
Cubs send Bryant & Quintana…….Braves send Riley and their top three pitching prospects.
or watch Braves season end by the end of April………..Hamels is not a sure bet now.
DTD_ATL
Gloom and Doom for no reason. They only had Keuchel for half a season last yr and were one of the best teams in baseball. Hamels is old and will take some time to work out the soreness. They’re not saying it’s structural. It’s very common for these type of injuries early in camp. They have depth and if necessary can go out and use that depth to acquire another starter.
Prospectnvstr
I’d prefer they use the “prospect depth” in their own rotation, instead of using them as trade material. That’s the only way to truly see which ones are legit. Build it (the rotation) to sustain it.
terry g
Does the phase “not a chance in hell” mean anything to you? Or are you in your own world?
sufferforsnakes
Rooting for the Lil’ Cowboy.
Phiilies2020
Sneaky good signing, as Tomlin will probably slot into middle relief. Will most likely appear in games where they are down a few runs to try to keep the game close after the starter exits. Def dont see him being in any high leverage roles with the arms they’ve acquired for the back end of the ‘pen.
Mrtwotone
Was good for braves last year. Swiss Arny knife out of the pen