The Atlanta Braves just snatched up right-hander Michael Grove on waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday afternoon. This isn’t just a random roster move; the NL East club is gearing up for the postseason and is seriously closing in on a division title. Once that division crown is locked down, the Braves might need a few innings eaters to get through the rest of the regular season, and it looks like Grove could be exactly that kind of guy.
Grove’s Long Road to the Big Leagues (And What It Means)
This dude has been through it. Grove was a second-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Dodgers way back in 2018. You’d think a high pick like that would sail through, right? Nope. Injuries have absolutely wrecked a huge chunk of his career. Get this: he missed the *entire* 2025 season because he was diagnosed with a torn labrum during spring training. That’s brutal, man. Since he finally made his Major League debut in 2022, he’s only tossed 156.1 innings total, with just seven of those coming during his brief stint with the Rays. It’s a tough path for any player, but Grove has clearly shown some grit to keep coming back.
What Michael Grove Brings to Atlanta’s Late Season Push
So, why are the Braves taking a flyer on a 29-year-old with this kind of injury history? It’s all about the late season grind. During his three seasons with the Dodgers, Grove made 20 starts across 64 appearances. He finished that time with a 5.48 ERA. Now, before you wince at that number, check this out: in 69 innings during 2023, he punched out 10.8 batters per nine innings. That’s a serious strikeout rate! He’s not just lobbing it in there. His average four-seam fastball clocks in at 94 mph this year, and he mixes in a sinker, slider, and cutter to keep hitters guessing. The Braves are looking for arms to eat innings and keep their core guys fresh as they push for October, and Grove’s ability to miss bats could be huge, even if it’s for a few frames.
The Braves didn’t waste any time after claiming him. They immediately optioned Grove to Triple-A Gwinnett. This move screams “depth for the stretch run” as they prepare for the postseason. They’re closing in on that division title, and every arm that can contribute, even in a pinch, is gold. We’ll be watching to see if Grove can stay healthy and make an impact when it matters most.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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