"The Braves will decline their $7MM club option on right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He'll receive a $250K buyout and become a free agent. Johnson is the second affordable reliever whose 2026 option has been declined by Atlanta today. The Braves also opted for a buyout over exercising Tyler Kinley's $5.5MM option. It's a fairly surprising decision regarding Johnson, who's pitched well in two-plus seasons with Atlanta - particularly in 2025."
"The 34-year-old righty was acquired from the Rockies at the 2023 deadline, posted a sub-1.00 ERA down the stretch and was rewarded with a two-year, $14MM contract. Johnson has pitched 115 1/3 innings of 3.36 ERA ball since putting pen to paper on that deal, including a 3.05 ERA in 59 1/3 frames this past season. He's posted nice strikeout and walk rates overall, and in 2025 fanned one-quarter of his opponents against an 8% walk rate."
The Braves declined Pierce Johnson's $7MM club option and will pay a $250K buyout, making him a free agent. Atlanta also declined Tyler Kinley's $5.5MM option in favor of a buyout. Johnson, 34, signed a two-year, $14MM contract after being acquired from the Rockies at the 2023 deadline. He posted a sub-1.00 ERA down the stretch in 2023 and has a 3.36 ERA in 115 1/3 innings since signing the deal. In 2025 he recorded a 3.05 ERA in 59 1/3 innings with roughly a 25% strikeout rate and an 8% walk rate.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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