Braves acquire Tyler Uberstine from Red Sox

Uberstine allowed one run on three hits in 2 2/3 innings in his MLB debut over the weekend. With Garrett Whitlock back off the Paternity List, Uberstine will go back to starting in the minor leagues.

With Johan Oviedo (elbow) headed to the IL, Uberstine will be called up to take his place as a multi-inning reliever. It’s an incredible moment for Uberstine, who has had a long road to get to the big leagues. He was not recruited out of high school and tried, and failed, to walk on to the University of South Carolina baseball team as a sophomore. He eventually spent two years at Northwestern, but appeared in only 13 total games. The Red Sox drafted him with their second-to-last pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, and then he blew out his elbow. He worked his way back and posted a 3.58 ERA and 27 percent strikeout rate in 120 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year before impressing in spring training last month. If he gets into a game this weekend, it will be an emotional MLB debut.

The decision leaves Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo as the fifth and sixth options in Boston’s rotation mix. Tolle did almost everything possible to prove he belongs in the big leagues with a strong Grapefruit League showing that included a 2.53 ERA and 13/1 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old top pitching prospect would’ve likely been ticketed for a long relief role at the start of the regular season so he’ll instead remain stretched out as a traditional starter on the doorstep of the majors until a more permanent opportunity arises. He’ll be worth rostering in all fantasy formats based on his strikeout upside once he gets a real chance.

No real surprises here. Sandlin was a stone-cold lock to be added to Boston’s 40-man roster to shield him from next month’s Rule 5 Draft after recording a 4.50 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 107/40 K/BB ratio across 106 innings over 32 appearances (14 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester this past season. The 24-year-old righty will undoubtedly have a role in Boston at some point soon. Drohan is also one of the better pitching prospects in the organization but has been limited to just 27 appearances over the past two seasons due to injuries. Uberstine compiled a 3.58 ERA and 137/41 K/BB ratio across 120 2/3 innings over 25 appearances (21 starts) in the upper minors last season.