Braves designate Ricky Vanasco for assignment

The 27-year-old right-hander had been sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, but rather than accepting the outright assignment, he’ll take his chances on the open market. Vanasco made five terrible appearances for the Tigers in 2026, posting a 15.63 ERA, 3.16 WHIP and a 4/6 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings.

The 26-year-old hurler had been designated for assignment on Monday and passed through waivers unclaimed. He’ll have the option at the outset of the offseason to elect free agency if he so chooses. Little spent most of the season at the Triple-A level, posting a 7.28 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 60/46 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings in 44 appearances.

After the Phillies were held scoreless in the top half of the first, the Braves got something going as Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson worked Aaron Nola for back-to-back one-out walks. Harris then strode to the dish and pulverized a 2-0 sinker for a 387-foot (100.5-mph EV) three-run shot, giving the Braves a lead that they would never relinquish. Harris finished the night 1-for-3 and was also hit by a pitch. He’ll look to continue his offensive rampage against the Dodgers in the NLDS starting on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The Braves already held a 3-0 advantage when Albies clobbered an 0-1 fastball from Zack Wheeler for a 419-foot (106.0-mph EV) two-run shot in the fourth inning. That would be more than enough run support for the Braves’ bullpen in this one. Albies also drew a walk in the contest, reaching base safely in three of his four plate appearances. Next up will be a battle against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Olson worked Phillies’ starter Aaron Nola for a one-out walk in the opening inning, then rode home on Michael Harris II’s go-ahead three-run blast. He then did some yard work of his own in the eighth inning, tagging Jonathan Bowlan for a 416-foot (107.2-mph EV) solo shot that increased the Braves’ lead to 6-1. That was one of three Braves’ homers off the Phillies in the series-clinching victory. Next up, a matchup with the Dodgers in the NLDS.

The 32-year-old southpaw struck out two batters in the brilliant performance. He allowed a one-out single to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and then walked Schwarber to open the fourth. That was the extent of the traffic against him and the Phillies never really threatened. Kerr threw a season-high 47 pitches in the game, getting five swings and misses while registering a CSW of 23 percent. He didn’t pitch deep enough to factor into the decision, but Kerr was a major part of the reason why the Braves are advancing to the NLDS.

Schwarber singled off of Ray Kerr in the first inning, but never advanced past first base. He then drew a walk to open the fourth inning and was erased on a fielder’s choice. Schwarber also chased Grant Holmes with a one-out single in the sixth inning, ultimately scoring the club’s first run on a ground out off the bat of Alec Bohm. While it was a disappointing showing for the Phillies’ offense, Schwarber definitely did his job on Thursday night.

Nola struck out one batter in the abbreviated outing. All of the damage done against him came in the opening inning as Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson worked back-to-back walks with one out. Michael Harris II followed with a three-run blast that gave the Braves the early lead. Nola got just three whiffs on 38 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 21 percent. The 33-year-old hurler will now have to go through an entire offseason with the bad taste from this one in his mouth.

It’s estimated that the 30-year-old will need 4-6 months of recovery time before he’s able to return to live game action. Gasper told reporters that he’s hopeful that he’ll be ready to go by March 1.

The 31-year-old hurler was designated for assignment when the Phillies set their roster for the Wild Card Series against the Braves. After passing through waivers unclaimed, Urquidy opted to hit the open market rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett. He did a decent job in his limited action with the Phillies, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 9/0 K/BB ratio across 7 1/3 innings.