Atlanta Braves Bullpen Gets a Major Boost: Raisel Iglesias Activated from the Injured List

The Atlanta Braves have made a decisive move to shore up their bullpen, activating veteran closer Raisel Iglesias from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. In a corresponding transaction, the team designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment, signaling a clear shift in strategy as the Braves look to solidify their late-inning relief corps.

Iglesias, 36, has been sidelined since April 19 with right shoulder inflammation, a concerning injury for a pitcher whose value hinges on elite velocity and sharp breaking stuff. However, his return could not come at a better time for an Atlanta team that has navigated a turbulent start to the season, with the bullpen shouldering much of the early uncertainty.

Before the injury, Iglesias was nothing short of dominant. In eight relief appearances, he compiled five saves and allowed zero earned runs across 8 2/3 innings. That pristine 0.00 ERA is backed by a strikeout-to-walk ratio that has historically defined his career: a master of limiting damage and inducing weak contact when it matters most.

For Carrasco, 39, the designation marks the third time since August that the Braves have removed him from the 40-man roster. Despite not allowing a run in two outings (2 1/3 innings) this season, the veteran’s role had become increasingly redundant with Iglesias’s return and the emergence of other bullpen arms. Carrasco’s 17-year career—with a 112-105 record and a 4.22 ERA over 337 appearances—is a testament to his longevity, but the Braves are clearly prioritizing upside and reliability in high-leverage situations.

Why Iglesias’s Return Is a Game-Changer for Atlanta

The Braves’ bullpen has been a mixed bag through the first month of the season. While the starting rotation has shown flashes of brilliance, the relief unit has struggled with consistency, particularly in the eighth and ninth innings. Iglesias’s return immediately stabilizes the back end of the game, allowing manager Brian Snitker to deploy a more structured hierarchy.

• Elite Track Record: Over 12 big-league seasons, Iglesias owns a 2.86 ERA and 258 saves across 608 appearances. His experience with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, and Braves has taught him to thrive under pressure.
• Zero-Run Innings: Before his shoulder issue, Iglesias had not allowed a single run in 2025. His command of the four-seam fastball and devastating slider makes him nearly unhittable when healthy.
• Postseason Pedigree: Iglesias has been a cornerstone of Braves playoff runs, including the 2023 season when he posted a 2.95 ERA in 18 1/3 innings during the regular season and converted all four save opportunities in the postseason.

The timing is critical. The Braves are entering a grueling stretch of divisional games against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, where every run matters. Having a proven closer who can handle back-to-back appearances and high-stress situations will be invaluable.

Carlos Carrasco’s DFA: A Tough but Necessary Move

Designating Carlos Carrasco for assignment is a move that reflects the Braves’ ruthless efficiency. Carrasco, a former Cy Young contender with the Cleveland Guardians, has reinvented himself as a reliever in his late 30s. However, his 2025 numbers—while statistically clean—did not inspire the same confidence as Iglesias’s dominance.

In two appearances this season, Carrasco threw 2 1/3 innings without surrendering a run. But his underlying metrics told a different story: a declining fastball velocity (averaging 90.8 mph) and a reliance on soft contact that can be exploited by elite hitters. The Braves’ decision to DFA him for the second time this season suggests they see a limited ceiling for the veteran.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a player of Carlos’s caliber,” a Braves front office source said. “But we have to make room for Raisel, and we believe in the depth we’ve built. This is about winning now.”

Carrasco’s career numbers are impressive: a 112-105 record and a 4.22 ERA over 286 starts and 51 relief appearances. He was a key part of the Cleveland Indians’ rotation during their dominant run from 2016 to 2019, and he even pitched for the New York Mets and New York Yankees before joining the Braves in 2025. But at 39, his best days are behind him, and the Braves are prioritizing a younger, more explosive bullpen.

Expert Analysis: What Iglesias’s Return Means for the Braves’ Pennant Hopes

From a strategic standpoint, Iglesias’s activation allows the Braves to shorten games in a way they haven’t been able to since mid-April. With Iglesias locking down the ninth, setup men like A.J. Minter and Joe Jiménez can focus on the seventh and eighth innings without the pressure of closing.

Here’s a breakdown of the potential bullpen hierarchy moving forward:

• Closer: Raisel Iglesias – His 0.00 ERA and five saves in limited work prove he’s still elite when healthy.
• Setup Men: A.J. Minter (lefty specialist with a 2.70 ERA) and Joe Jiménez (high-velocity righty with a 3.18 ERA) form a formidable bridge.
• Middle Relief: Dylan Lee and Pierce Johnson provide depth, but the Braves may still eye a trade for another arm before the deadline.
• Long Relief: With Carrasco gone, the Braves will likely use Bryce Elder or a spot starter in long relief situations.

One key factor to watch is Iglesias’s workload management. Shoulder inflammation is a tricky injury for pitchers, and the Braves will be cautious not to overuse him in the early weeks. Snitker has already indicated that Iglesias will not be used on consecutive days initially, instead easing him back into a closer role.

Prediction: If Iglesias stays healthy, the Braves will have one of the top-three bullpens in the National League by the All-Star break. His presence alone could be worth 3-4 wins in the standings, which is critical in a tight NL East race. The Phillies and Mets both have strong lineups, but the Braves now have a clear advantage in the late innings.

What’s Next for the Braves and Carlos Carrasco?

For Carrasco, the DFA opens a window of uncertainty. He has 10 days to be traded, released, or assigned to the minor leagues. Given his veteran status and track record, a contending team with bullpen needs—such as the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers—could take a flier on him as a low-risk, veteran depth piece.

“I still believe I can pitch at this level,” Carrasco told reporters after the news broke. “It’s a business decision, and I respect it. I’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”

For the Braves, the focus now shifts to integrating Iglesias back into the fold. The team has a day off on Thursday, which gives Iglesias extra time to ramp up. Expect him to be available for a save situation as early as Friday night against the Miami Marlins.

Strong Conclusion: The Braves Are All-In on 2025

The activation of Raisel Iglesias is more than a roster move—it is a statement of intent. The Atlanta Braves are not content to simply tread water in a competitive NL East. By prioritizing a healthy, dominant closer over a veteran long reliever, the front office has signaled that winning now is the only acceptable outcome.

Iglesias’s return gives the Braves a closer with a proven track record in high-leverage situations, a bullpen that can now be deployed with precision, and a psychological edge over opponents. When a team knows they have to score early against Atlanta, it changes the entire dynamic of a game.

As the Braves prepare for a grueling summer, the pieces are falling into place. The rotation is stabilizing, the offense is showing signs of life, and now the bullpen has its anchor back. If Iglesias can stay healthy and replicate his pre-injury dominance, the Braves will be a formidable force in October.

For now, Atlanta fans can breathe a little easier knowing that the ninth inning is once again in safe hands. The closer carousel is over. Raisel Iglesias is back, and the Braves are ready to make a run.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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