Random former Guardians reliever signs minor league deal with Braves

Every year spring training provides us with countless transactions that remind us that certain players are still playing in the league. 

Normally those kinds of transactions are reserved for the start of spring training when teams are filling out their camp rosters. 

But the Braves gave us one more right at the buzzer earlier this week by signing former Guardians reliever Kyle Nelson to a minor league deal. 

While it’s been nearly five years since Nelson last appeared in a game for Cleveland, he became a valuable reliever for the Arizona Diamondbacks before injuries derailed his career. 

But now he’s back in organized ball via his contract with the Braves, where he could eventually fit into their flawed pitching picture.  

Former Guardian Kyle Nelson is looking to rebuild his career with the Braves 

Nelson spent five seasons in the Guardians’ system after Cleveland drafted him in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, and he ended up throwing 10 1/3 big league innings for Cleveland across the 2020 and ‘21 seasons. 

The Guardians designated him for assignment after that 2021 season where he was quickly scooped up by the Diamondbacks.

That set off the best period of Nelson’s career. He had a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings for Arizona in 2022 before posting a 4.18 ERA in a career-high 56 innings in 2023. He added five postseason innings in Arizona’s run toward the World Series. 

He didn’t get a chance to build on that the next season thanks to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He made his big league return last season but allowed two earned runs in two innings and had a 9.36 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Triple-A. 

His fastball sat at 89.9 miles per hour after it was at 92 mph earlier in his career, but it could be a bit better now after he's had a season of rehab.

But there apparently was still enough there for the Braves to decide to roll the dice on Nelson, albeit in a depth role. 

The Braves already signed one former Guardians reliever this offseason in the form of James Karinchak, who they already sent to Triple-A after he put together a strong showing at spring training. 

But part of the reason why the Braves decided to send Karinchak to the minors is because they had to build their bullpen around a grueling opening schedule, so change could come quickly.

As of now Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer are the Braves’ top two lefty relievers, so Nelson could take one of their spots at some point during the season. 

He also has one minor league option remaining, so he’ll add some flexibility should the Braves choose to add him to their roster.