Left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz is scheduled to make his first major league start since 2023 on Saturday when the Atlanta Braves host the New York Yankees in the second game of their home series. This appearance marks a significant moment for Wentz as he returns to a starting role amidst the Braves’ current roster adjustments.
The Braves began the series strong with a 7-3 victory over the Yankees on Friday, extending their winning streak to three out of four games, while New York has dropped three consecutive contests.
Background and Recent Performances Leading to This Start
Wentz, who currently holds a 2-1 record with a 6.32 ERA, will oppose Yankees right-hander Will Warren, who is 6-5 with a 4.63 ERA this season. The Braves added Wentz to their roster just prior to the All-Star Game after designating him for assignment while he was with the Minnesota Twins on July 10.
Drafted by Atlanta in 2016, Wentz was signed with intentions of extending his pitching role, potentially filling a spot in the Braves’ rotation that has seen injuries and roster changes.
Wentz started the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a reliever, recording a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA over 19 appearances before being released. Following that, he joined the Twins but struggled with a 15.75 ERA in six outings, which led to his release and subsequent signing by the Braves.
Strong Debut Shows Promise for Braves
In his first outing for Atlanta on Saturday, Wentz delivered three scoreless innings of relief against the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired the first eight batters he faced, striking out six, and only allowed a two-out walk.
Atlanta’s manager Brian Snitker praised Wentz’s performance, saying,
“That was pretty good, wasn’t it? I didn’t know what to expect. He just got here and, wow, that was about as good as you can get. Took out a huge chunk of that game. He got us to the guys that we wanted to pitch at the back end of the game. It was a great job.”
Pitching Matchup Featuring Will Warren
Wentz has encountered the Yankees six times previously, all in relief, with a 1-1 record and a 3.75 ERA in those appearances. In contrast, Will Warren will be making his start on Saturday against the Braves after a recent outing on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, where he gave up two runs over 5⅓ innings but took the loss.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on Warren’s recent game, stating,
“That’s a day where they had a lot of good at-bats. He didn’t necessarily have his best command, but he kind of navigated it. That’s what the good ones do. When they’re not at their best, they’re still able to find a way.”
Warren, who was added to the Yankees’ starting rotation due to injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, has become a reliable presence. He has made 20 starts this year, allowing three or fewer runs in 14 of those games. Warren expressed confidence in his endurance this season, saying,
“We have a lot of older guys in the clubhouse, so I can lean on them, learn a few things, how to manage workloads and stuff like that. I’ve never done this amount of innings and starts in a year, but I’m feeling good.”
Warren has not faced the Braves before in his career.
Additional Team Updates and Series Context
The Yankees ended their 11-game home run streak on Friday, which was their second-longest of the season, although they have hit 29 home runs in the last 15 games. Aaron Judge reached base with a single on Friday, extending his on-base streak to 86 times in 97 games, but he also struck out three times.
Meanwhile, Atlanta continued to adjust its roster on Thursday by acquiring right-hander Dane Dunning from Texas in exchange for José Ruiz, and designating veteran Jesse Chavez for assignment. Dunning brings flexibility to the Braves’ pitching staff and can serve as either a starter or long reliever as needed.
Outlook for Wentz and the Braves Moving Forward
Joey Wentz’s return to the starting rotation comes at an important time for the Braves, who are managing an injury-depleted pitching staff while striving to maintain their winning momentum. This opportunity allows Wentz to prove his readiness as a starter and contribute meaningfully to a team eager for stability on the mound.
The upcoming game against the Yankees offers a stage for both Wentz and Warren, each pitching to secure their team’s standing during a critical stretch of the season. How Wentz performs in his first major league start since last year could influence Atlanta’s rotation strategy in the weeks ahead.