Braves shuffle bullpen again, selecting LHP Connor Thomas from Gwinnett

The Atlanta Braves continued to reconfigure their bullpen on Tuesday, selecting left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas to the major-league roster from Triple-A Gwinnett and making corresponding changes to keep roster rules in balance. The move reflects how quickly the Braves have been cycling through pitching options as they search for consistent, high-leverage performance.

Atlanta also optioned right-hander Owen Murphy back to Gwinnett to open an active roster spot for Thomas. Murphy had recently seen major-league action, and the Braves’ decision indicates they view him as available depth while Thomas gets a fresh look in Atlanta’s relief group.

To create the necessary room on the 40-man roster, the Braves released right-hander Daysbel Hernández. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Atlanta made the release specifically to accommodate the Thomas selection, a reminder of how roster arithmetic can force difficult decisions during the summer stretch.

In addition to Thomas and the Murphy option, the Braves recalled right-hander James Karinchak from Triple-A. MLB Trade Rumors also reported that Tyler Kinley was placed on the paternity list, a move that temporarily shifts one reliever spot on the active roster and can influence how the bullpen is deployed in the short term.

While the Braves did not frame Tuesday’s decisions as a statement about any single pitcher’s future in the majors, the underlying theme is clear: Atlanta is trying to keep leverage-inning roles staffed with arms that can handle immediate, game-to-game demands. Thomas’ path to the roster is the centerpiece, because his promotion comes alongside multiple bullpen adjustments rather than as a standalone addition.

Thomas’ opportunity appears grounded in his recent Triple-A results. SportsTalk ATL reported that Thomas was carrying a 1.14 ERA across 10 appearances for the Gwinnett Stripers at the time of the promotion. That production, even at the minor-league level, is the kind of recent form that can push a pitcher toward a late-season call-up when bullpen stability is at a premium.

For the Braves, the bigger watch item is how quickly Thomas can convert this chance into major-league innings. The next weeks will show whether Atlanta uses him as a matchup-oriented lefty, a multi-inning option, or a shorter leash reliever. At the same time, the returns of Karinchak and Murphy’s reassignment underscore that Atlanta’s staff planning is likely to remain fluid, with roles changing as the paternity list clears and as the Braves continue to manage a busy schedule.

In the background of Tuesday’s roster activity is the usual reality of MLB bullpens: promotions and demotions often depend on one or two bullpen availability gaps that crop up midweek. For now, Thomas’ selection is the key development, and the Braves’ deployment choices in upcoming appearances will offer the clearest indication of what the organization expects from him at the major-league level.