The Atlanta Braves have reclaimed left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, according to a recent team announcement. At the same time, the Braves designated right-hander Kevin Herget for assignment to make room on the roster amid ongoing bullpen difficulties. This move marks a reunion between Wentz and the Braves, the organization that originally drafted him in 2016.
Joey Wentz’s Journey Since Being Drafted in 2016
Joey Wentz was the 40th overall pick by the Braves in the 2016 MLB Draft and was viewed as one of the franchise’s top pitching prospects for several years. However, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2019 along with infielder and outfielder Travis Demeritte in exchange for reliever Shane Greene. This trade began a winding path for Wentz, who eventually made his major league debut with Detroit in 2022.
Performance and Struggles in the Major Leagues
Wentz showed early promise with the Tigers, posting a 3.03 ERA in seven starts during his debut season. Despite a strong start, his subsequent performances waned, leading to a 6.90 ERA across 105 2/3 innings in 2023. Following these struggles in the starting rotation, Wentz was moved to the bullpen. However, relief pitching also proved challenging as he has a 5.42 ERA over 101 2/3 innings across the past two seasons combined with Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota.
Recent Difficulties in Minnesota and Roster Status
At 27 years old, Wentz had a particularly difficult stint with the Twins earlier this year. Over eight innings, he allowed 14 runs on 17 hits, including three home runs, while issuing nine walks and striking out six. After these struggles, Minnesota designated him for assignment last week. Since Wentz has no remaining minor league options, he will join the Braves’ major league roster immediately.
Role Expectations and Team Context
Now back with the Braves nearly a decade after being drafted, Wentz is expected to fill important bullpen roles such as long relief or possibly serve as an opener. The Braves currently face significant injury issues, with four starting pitchers on the injured list, so Wentz’s ability to handle multi-inning appearances will be valuable. For example, he showed durability by throwing 48 pitches in a late June outing, suggesting readiness for extended relief work.
Kevin Herget’s Recent Performance and Roster Move
Kevin Herget, 34, has pitched only three major league innings in 2025—two with the New York Mets and one with Atlanta. Most of his season has been spent in Triple-A, where he recorded a 3.26 ERA over 30 1/3 innings split between the two clubs. His strikeout rate stands at 21.6%, while his walk rate is 8%. In the majors, Herget has a 4.53 ERA over 45 2/3 innings but he has struck out just 13.9% of batters faced and maintained a walk rate of 5.7%.
Pitching Profile and Next Steps for Herget
Herget’s repertoire features a four-seam fastball averaging 92.4 mph, a cutter at 85.8 mph, and a changeup around 83 mph. Over eight Triple-A seasons and 505 2/3 innings, he compiled a 4.00 ERA. He is currently in the final year of his minor league options, which means the Braves must either trade Herget or place him on waivers within the next five days following his designation for assignment.