ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 02: Atlanta Braves president, Alex Anthopoulos attends a press conference speaking about Austin Rileys contract extension and recent trades prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on August 2, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves continue to reshape their roster as they push through the second half of the season, and one of the club’s latest moves underscores just how little room remains for veteran depth pieces on a roster fighting to stay competitive.
After spending much of the year providing infield insurance, veteran shortstop Kyle Farmer has been released from the roster following a transaction that coincided with the return of one of Atlanta’s key offseason additions.
Atlanta Braves Cut Ties With Shortstop To Add $23 Million Outfielder
The Braves officially announced the decision on Tuesday.
“The Braves today reinstated OF Mike Yastrzemski from the injured list and released INF Kyle Farmer from the roster,” the team posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The timing of the move is significant because it clears an active roster spot for Yastrzemski, who signed a two-year, $23 million contract with Atlanta before the season and is expected to resume a regular role in the outfield.
Meanwhile, Farmer had served primarily as a versatile bench option throughout the year, but his role had diminished as the Braves’ roster gradually became healthier.
“Farmer, 35, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in the offseason,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Due to his veteran status, he had a standard opt-out in that deal ahead of Opening Day. Atlanta didn’t want him to get away, so they signed him to a split deal with a salary of $1.25MM in the majors.”
Atlanta Braves Cut Ties With Veteran Infielder As Shortstop Questions Persist
While Farmer’s versatility gave Atlanta flexibility early in the season, the roster picture shifted, though the team doesn’t seem to have settled on a promising shortstop option.
“Shortstop has been a notable hole for the club this year, mostly due to the injuries and struggles of Ha-Seong Kim,” McDonald added. “Kim is once again on the IL but currently on a rehab assignment while Jim Jarvis and Jorge Mateo are on the active roster. Farmer was already not getting a lot of playing time and would have received even less after Kim’s return. Also, Yastrzemski’s reinstatement might mean Mauricio Dubon spends less time in the outfield and more on the infield.”
That combination ultimately left Farmer without a clear path to consistent playing time and he might now seek an opportunity elsewhere, assuming he clears waivers.
Meanwhile, Yastrzemski’s return represents a meaningful boost for Atlanta. Now healthy, he’ll receive the opportunity to justify the investment the Braves made in him while the team continues its postseason push.
For Farmer, the release likely won’t mark the end of his major league career. The 35-year-old’s ability to play multiple infield positions and his reputation as a dependable clubhouse veteran could make him an attractive depth addition for another contender before the stretch run.