Tyler

Kinley

The deal, which is now official, includes a $1.25 million buyout, which guarantees Kinley at least $4.25 million to return to Atlanta’s high-leverage mix just a few weeks after the club declined his $5.5 million option for 2026. The 34-year-old veteran reliever finished last season with a respectable 3.96 ERA — 3.69 FIP — 1.18 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio across a career-high 72 2/3 innings split between the Rockies and Braves. He’ll help bridge the gap to Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias along with new high-priced setup man Robert Suarez.

Feinsand adds that the deal includes a $5.5 million club option for 2027 that carries a $1.25 million buyout. Kinley returns to Atlanta’s high-leverage mix just a few weeks after the club declined his $5.5 million option for 2026. The 34-year-old veteran reliever finished last season with a respectable 3.96 ERA — 3.69 FIP — 1.18 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio across a career-high 72 2/3 innings split between the Rockies and Braves. He’ll help bridge the gap to Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias along with new high-priced setup man Robert Suarez.

Now official. This feels like two years ago when the Braves made a similarly odd decision to decline a $5.75 million option on Kirby Yates, giving him a $1.25 million buyout instead. Kinley, who gets a $750,000 buyout, probably won’t have a 2026 like Yates did with the Rangers in 2024, but it seemed like a pretty easy call to bring him back after his great finish in Atlanta; he had a 0.72 ERA in 25 innings after being acquired from the Rockies.

This is quite the surprise, and one would think they still might be able to flip him for a minor prospect or at least get out of paying his $750,000 buyout. If not, he’ll become a free agent. Freed from Colorado at the deadline, Kinley went on to allow just two runs in 25 innings out of the Braves pen.

Entering Wednesday night’s game, Kinley had a 0.41 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in 22 appearances with Atlanta. “Needless to say, the Braves are planning to exercise a $5 million option on Kinley’s contract for 2026 rather than pay the $750,000 buyout.” The 34-year-old could be a key reliever at the back end of the bullpen next season.

Kinley has been pitching well as of late, with a 1.98 ERA over his last 13 appearances. It’s still a little surprising to see Atlanta as buyers since they’re 16 games out of the NL East lead. It’s worth noting Kinley’s club option for 2026 is only $5 million with a $750,000 buyout, so this is more of an audition to see if Kinley can help the team in 2026 than anything.

Atlanta will give up a prospect in the deal per Feinsand. Kinley has posted a 5.66 ERA in 49 appearances with a 51/27 K/BB ratio over 47 2/3 innings. He’ll be a middle-inning option for Atlanta while he’s with the club.

Seth Halvorsen and Victor Vodnik had already worked in the ninth and tenth innings respectively on Sunday, which left Kinley to handle the 11th with a one-run lead after the Rockies scored in the top half of the frame. He made sure that it stood up, getting Jake Bauers and Isaac Collins on called third strikes before retiring Caleb Durbin on a fly ball to left field to end it. He’s still third or fourth in the pecking order for save chances in the Rockies’ bullpen, but it’s nice to step up and show you’re capable when your number is called.

Trying to close out a one-run lead, Halvorsen gave up a two-out homer to James Wood. The first run, courtesy of the automatic runner, was unearned. Halvorsen was pitching for the second straight day and third time in four days, so he’ll be down Friday. Tyler Kinley or Jake Bird could get a save chance then.

The Rockies declined to use Seth Halvorsen for a third straight day after he got a save last night, so Kinley got the chance and converted it. Zach Agnos, currently on the bereavement list, will likely be back on Friday to reclaim the closer’s role in Colorado.