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Braves add former Dodgers, Tigers pitcher for playoff push
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- Braves add former Dodgers, Tigers pitcher for playoff push
The Atlanta Braves claimed reliever Ricky Vanasco off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Vanasco had been designated for assignment by Detroit after going 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA in five MLB appearances this season. He allowed 14 hits (including two home runs) and 12 runs in 6.1 innings. He walked six batters and struck out four.
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Vanasco spent all of 2025, and most of this season, at Triple-A after making his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. He's made only nine appearances in the majors, going 1-1 with a 12.19 ERA.
Coincidentally, the Braves are hosting the Dodgers on Wednesday night in a battle of two division leaders trying to clinch a first-round bye in the postseason.
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The Braves have used 34 different pitchers this season. Their pitching staff has been beset by injuries to several key starters ( Spencer Strider , Reynaldo Lopez , Hurston Waldrep , Spencer Schwellenbach ) and relievers ( Robert Suarez , Joe Jiménez ).
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Vanasco isn't Plan A for Atlanta's October bullpen, but he gives them a Plan B (or C) with some big league experience in case more health emergencies arise.
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Vanasco has battled injuries himself. He shuffled on and off the Tigers' injured list last year, but looked fully healthy when he began the 2026 season with a 0.00 ERA across his first 10 Triple-A appearances with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' top farm team.
That performance prompted Detroit to give Vanasco five appearances in May. None went well, however. He allowed at least one walk, one hit, and one run in all five outings before returning to Triple-A for good in June.
With a strong performance at Gwinnett, Vanasco might earn a second look before the 2026 season ends.
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