The Braves made a couple of exciting roster moves amid their series with the White Sox.
JR Ritchie has been recalled from AAA and joining him his veteran relief pitcher James Karinchak. In corresponding moves, Carlos Carrasco has been designated for assignment and Tyler Kinley has been placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation.
The #Braves today selected RHP James Karinchak to the major league roster and designated RHP Carlos Carrasco for assignment. The club also recalled RHP JR Ritchie to Atlanta and placed RHP Tyler Kinley on the 15-day injured list, backdated to June 8, with right elbow…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 10, 2026
Elbow inflammation is never a promising sign for a pitcher, so hopefully Tyler Kinley’s IL stint is nothing more than a precautionary measure. He’s been solid this season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.18 ERA.
The injury does, however, give the Braves their first look at veteran reliever James Karinchak.
Karinchak was one of the better bullpen arms in the game not long ago. From 2022 to 2023, he posted a 2.65 ERA over 82 appearances for the Cleveland Guardians before injuries derailed his career. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023, signing a minor-league deal with the Braves this offseason. In 21 appearances for the Gwinnett Stripers, he’s posted a 2.45 ERA with a remarkable 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings — the kind of stuff that could allow him to stick in Atlanta for the rest of the season.
JR Ritchie takes the roster spot of Carlos Carrasco, who surrendered the game-tying run Tuesday night. Carrasco has been serviceable in limited action this season, but he’s nothing more than a roster placeholder — which is why he’s been designated for assignment roughly ten times already this year.
The bigger question surrounding Ritchie’s return is what it means for the rotation. Could Tuesday’s performance from Grant Holmes be the nudge the Braves needed to move him back to the bullpen? He’s been effective the first time through a lineup, but after that it tends to unravel, suggesting he’s better suited for a relief role. We’ll see how the Braves choose to handle it moving forward.
—
(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire)