The Atlanta Braves have officially acquired right‑hander Carlos Carrasco from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations, or possibly a player to be named later. The move comes on the heels of Atlanta’s acquisition of Erick Fedde, part of a desperate scramble to patch a starting rotation that has been ravaged by injury.
With all five members of their Opening Day rotation–Chris Sale, Grant Holmes, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, and A.J. Smith‑Shawver–on the 60‑day injured list, the Braves have turned to Carrasco as a veteran stopgap who can help keep the team afloat for the stretch drive.
From Tribe Ace to Journeyman
Carrasco brings 16 seasons of MLB experience to Atlanta, having pitched for the Cleveland Guardians (2009-20, 2024), New York Mets (2021–23), and the Yankees (2025). Over 332 games (283 starts), he holds a career record of 112–105 with a 4.18 ERA in 1,673.2 innings pitched.
He earned his reputation as one of Cleveland’s stalwarts, notching 18 wins and a 3.32 ERA in 2017, and returning from a leukemia diagnosis to earn AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2019. While his recent seasons have been rough, with a 6.80 ERA in 2023 and a 5.64 ERA in 2024, he rebounded at Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre in 2025, posting a 3.27 ERA over 11 starts.
Overcoming Leukemia
Beyond his accomplishments on the mound, the veteran right-hander is also known for one of baseball’s most inspiring comeback stories. In 2019, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia midseason. The news sent shockwaves through the baseball world, but Carrasco didn’t stay away for long.
“I may have cancer,” Carrasco said. “But cancer doesn’t have me.”
Just months later, he returned to pitch in relief that September, receiving standing ovations across MLB stadiums. That same year, he was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year, not just for his performance, but for his courage and perseverance. His fight against cancer became a symbol of strength to fans and players alike, and it remains a defining chapter in a long and respected career.
Yankees Let Go of Experienced Arm
New York claimed Carrasco’s contract on a minor league deal in February with hopes he’d provide veteran depth after injuries sidelined Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. He got into eight MLB games (six starts), compiling a 2‑2 record with a 5.91 ERA, before being designated for assignment in early May.
After clearing waivers twice, he accepted outright assignments to the Yankees’ Triple‑A affiliate, where a solid stretch of outings in June and July earned him renewed interest around the league. The Braves reportedly followed his recent tape and saw enough to add him despite his inconsistencies.
For Atlanta, Carrasco offers rotation depth and veteran leadership at a crucial moment. He fills in behind Spencer Strider, Erick Fedde, Joey Wentz, and Bryce Elder in the next few starts, buying time for injured starters to return.
But his recent form raises concerns. Since 2023, Carrasco has posted a combined 6.14 ERA over 225.2 innings, with a negative ‑0.3 WAR, suggesting he’s no longer the reliable workhorse he once was. Analysts caution that he’s not a savior–just a stopgap who might give the Braves five innings of innings per outing while injury returns remain uncertain.
Trade Deadline Churn and Franchise Direction
This trade is one of several recent moves by the Braves as they head into the July 31 trade deadline. Though they’ve added role players like Erick Fedde, Atlanta hasn’t signaled a full embrace of contention–the moves feel more like fallback measures amid roster shortage.
Meanwhile, the Yankees used the trade as an opportunity to offload aging depth and free up roster space for younger options like Cam Schlittler and Allan Winans. General manager Brian Cashman continues assembling trade returns to solidify the infield and bench, while closing the door on veteran pitchers with thin upside.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves Add Veteran Starter After Deal with Yankees appeared first on Heavy Sports.