The Atlanta Braves signed free-agent right-handed reliever John Brebbia and added him to the big-league roster on Sunday, in addition to outfielder Eli White. In a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated left-hander Zach Logue for assignment. In the middle of a race for the final wild-card spot in the National League, it's unlikely that the Braves will entrust Brebbia with working high-leverage innings in the back of their bullpen after he posted a career-worst 6.29 ERA (4.43 FIP) with a 1.42 WHIP, two saves, 17 walks and 58 strikeouts in his 48 2/3 innings of work out of the bullpen earlier this year with the Chicago White Sox. The 34-year-old also had 13 holds with the Pale Hose, but fantasy managers in NL-only leagues shouldn't expect much from Brebbia in that category in his new home.
The Chicago White Sox released right-handed reliever John Brebbia on Thursday. Brebbia cleared waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week and is now free to sign with any club. Brebbia opened his lone season with the Pale Hose as a candidate to see save opportunities in a really bad bullpen. He did pick up the third and fourth saves of his career, but he also wasn't very good in general, going 0-6 with a career-worst 6.29 ERA (4.43 FIP), a 1.42 WHIP and a 58:17 K:BB in 48 2/3 relief innings before being cut. The 34-year-old may have to wait until the offseason to find a new team as he looks to make his way back to the big leagues. The former 30th-round selection of the New York Yankees in 2011 out of Elon University holds a 3.82 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, four saves and a 25.7% strikeout rate in his seven seasons in the big leagues with three different teams.
Bryan Ramos Optioned, John Brebbia Designated For Assignment
The Chicago White Sox optioned infield prospect Bryan Ramos to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday and also designated right-handed reliever John Brebbia for assignment. Ramos will head right back to Charlotte after being recalled on Monday to make room for Jacob Amaya, who was claimed off waivers from Houston. Ramos, the team's No. 13 prospect per MLB Pipeline, played in his first 15 big-league games earlier this year and went only 9-for-46 (.196) with two doubles, two RBI and eight strikeouts in 48 plate appearances. The 22-year-old should see more run in the big leagues in 2025 for his right-handed power stroke. Brebbia gets removed from the 40-man roster after posting a rough 6.29 ERA in 54 appearances for the Pale Hose this year, although he did pick up two saves and 13 holds in the process for a terrible White Sox bullpen.
Chicago White Sox right-hander John Brebbia tossed a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced en route to his first save of the year. It was Brebbia's first save since 2018. Michael Kopech is Chicago's primary closer and had racked up back-to-back saves on Wednesday and Thursday. Despite having Friday off, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol opted to go with Brebbia over Kopech to protect a two-run lead in Saturday's game. Brebbia owns a 4.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 16:2 K: BB across 12 1/3 innings in 2024. Fantasy managers searching for saves can add Brebbia as a speculative add in deep-league formats.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The right-hander appears to be back on track after suffering a calf injury during a game two weeks ago. It's uncertain how many outings Brebbia will need before rejoining the big league bullpen. The assumption is that Brebbia should be back before or in early May. However, Brebbia is likely going to take a backseat to Michael Kopech who appears to be the primary closer in Chicago. Brebbia should still be used in high leverage spots, but probably won't offer the same fantasy value.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf), who exited last Friday's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Royals after he suffered a strained right calf, is not anticipating a long-term absence. Brebbia said on Tuesday that he was planning on throwing a bullpen later that day. "I'm throwing today, and throwing hasn't been impeded whatsoever. I feel days away from being able to pitch in a game, at worst," Brebbia said. The 33-year-old right-hander also dealt with a strained right calf that held him to two innings of spring ball. Brebbia has thrown 2 2/3 scoreless innings so far during his first season on the South Side and will be an option to close games upon his return, which could arrive when he's first eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list on April 22. Former starter Michael Kopech is the favorite for saves for the ChiSox at the moment.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) was placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of the team's matchup against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Brebbia last appeared in a game on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, when he left the contest after just seven pitches. The 33-year-old dealt with a similar calf issue during spring training, so it appears the right-hander might have re-aggravated it. He was off to a great start in 2024 with 2.2 scoreless innings thrown, but now he'll head to the IL. The move is retroactive to April 6, so the earliest he can return is next weekend. In his place, the White Sox called up Jared Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte.
John Brebbia Exits Friday's Game With Calf Soreness
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) exited early in the sixth inning of the White Sox 2-1 loss against the Kansas City Royals. Brebbia tweaked his calf fielding a ball and was removed shortly after. The 33-year-old injured his calf during spring training. Brebbia had gotten off to a great start with the White Sox, giving up just one hit in four appearances, and had yet to give up a run. There's no word on whether the right-hander will need to miss any time, and he should be considered day-to-day. Brebbia has been used in high-leverage situations and, even when healthy, is mainly an option in leagues that reward saves and holds.
Chicago White Sox right-hander John Brebbia (calf) went through fielding drills in camp on Wednesday after pitching an inning in a minor-league game on Tuesday. Brebbia strained his right calf during fielding drills in spring training in late February and is still working his way back from it. The 33-year-old is up in the air to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 next Thursday, putting strain an already extremely thin White Sox's bullpen. When healthy, the 33-year-old figures to be in the mix for saves chances in Chicago in 2024 alongside Steven Wilson, Michael Kopech and Jordan Leasure. However, with the acquisition of Wilson and Kopech's move from starter to reliever, Brebbia has become less interesting as a candidate for saves in Chicago's bullpen, especially since he's also hurt.
Chicago White Sox right-handed reliever John Brebbia (calf) is throwing live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. Brebbia suffered a right-calf strain early in camp and has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet because of it. However, the 33-year-old veteran is working his way back and could still be ready for Opening Day on March 28. When healthy, Brebbia has a chance to close out games for the White Sox this year, although he could have to share ninth-inning duties with the likes of Deivi Garcia, Jordan Leasure and Dominic Leone in a not-so-pretty closer-by-committee approach. Brebbia only has two career saves (back in 2018), although he pitched well out of the San Francisco Giants' bullpen the last two years, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 32 walks and 101 K's in 106 1/3 innings.