After sending Bryce Elder down to the minors on Thursday, the Atlanta Braves signaled that his recent solid performances weren’t enough to outweigh concerns about his overall pitching arsenal. The team waited until Friday to make the corresponding roster move, ultimately calling up left-hander Dylan Dodd ahead of their weekend series against the Red Sox.
While several names were in consideration—including veteran Craig Kimbrel—the Braves opted for Dodd, who is already on the 40-man roster. Though he’s had his struggles in the majors, Dodd’s left-handed arm could be useful against Boston’s lineup, which includes several dangerous lefty hitters. He also provides length out of the bullpen, giving Atlanta flexibility during their road trip.
However, Dodd’s time with the big league club is expected to be brief. As noted by Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, Spencer Strider is scheduled to return early next week during Atlanta’s series against the Nationals, and Dodd is the most likely candidate to be sent back down when that happens.
Still, Dodd has a chance to make the most of this opportunity. Once viewed as a potential piece of the Braves’ long-term rotation plans, a strong showing during this stint could keep him in the mix for future call-ups later in the season.
