Atlanta Keeps Calling Up the Same 37-Year-Old Pitcher and Fans Are Confused

The Atlanta Braves have been playing better lately. Three wins in their last four games. They’re still clinging to first place in the NL East while the Phillies keep breathing down their necks. But none of that is what’s confusing people right now.

On Sunday the Braves made another roster move involving Carlos Carrasco. The 37-year-old right-hander got selected to the active roster again. To make room they sent young pitcher JR Ritchie back to Triple-A Gwinnett. That’s the sixth time this season Atlanta has pulled Carrasco’s minor league contract up to the majors.

The pattern is weird. Carrasco gets called up. Then he gets designated for assignment. Then he elects free agency. Then the Braves sign him to a minor league deal again. Then they call him up again. It keeps looping.

Fans noticed. The Braves posted the news on X and the replies were a mix of jokes and genuine confusion.

“It’s kinda funny that this guy keeps coming back after electing free agency so many times,” one person wrote.

Another fan was more annoyed about what this means for Ritchie. “What they’re doing to JR Ritchie with this continual yo-yo is ridiculous and not good for his development. Leave him alone at one place. Why bring him up in the first place. They could have just let Anthony Molina stay.”

Ritchie has been bounced between Atlanta and Gwinnett all year. The Braves clearly want him to develop but they also keep needing roster spots. So up and down he goes. That’s not ideal for a young pitcher trying to find a rhythm.

Carrasco meanwhile is old enough to be Ritchie’s dad. He’s been around the league forever. The Braves clearly value having a veteran arm in the building even if they keep cycling him through the transaction wire. It’s not like he’s pitching badly when he’s up. But it’s a strange way to handle a 40-man roster.

Atlanta had an open spot on the 40-man so no extra moves were needed this time. Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors reported the details. The Braves have not explained why they keep doing this exact same dance with Carrasco instead of just keeping him around. Maybe it’s a service time thing. Maybe it’s just how the math works out. Either way the fans are watching and they’re not sure what to make of it.