Pending free agent Tyler Mahle put together a solid two-month run with the Braves to close out the regular season. He was even better in the playoffs, covering critical innings for a pitching staff that lacked viable starters aside from Chris Sale. After Atlanta was eliminated from the postseason last night, Mahle expressed interest in returning to the team. “For sure,” Mahle told reporters when asked about his return to the Braves (h/t Jesús Cano of The Athletic). “It would be crazy for someone not to want to be here. This place is incredible and there’s no other way to say it. It would be crazy not to want to play here.” Atlanta’s trade deadline activity received little fanfare, with the club adding a platoon bat in Lane Thomas and some relief depth with Bailey Falter, Brent Suter and Tyler Uberstine. Mahle was the most notable acquisition, which is not saying much considering the aforementioned group. He had posted a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts with the Giants. Forward Anthony Molina was all it took to get it. Mahle began working in Atlanta. He shut out the Yankees in six innings in his debut with the team. The veteran right-hander allowed just seven earned runs in his first eight starts with the team. Mahle overcame a failure in his final regular-season game to deliver two tremendous performances in the playoffs. He held the Phillies to one run in seven innings in Game 2 of the wild card round. Last night he pitched into the seventh inning against the Dodgers. Neither effort resulted in a Braves victory, as the offense failed to offer much support. The Giants signed Mahle to a modest one-year, $10 million contract. Elbow and shoulder injuries had limited him to 24 starts over the previous three seasons. It was a trial deal that included additional incentives for innings pitched. Mahle certainly didn’t prove anything with the Giants, but his 11 starts with the Braves could have revitalized his market this winter. Atlanta entered the 2026 season seemingly loaded with rotation options. Injuries quickly weakened the group. Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep combined for 11 appearances. Spencer Schwellenbach and Joey Wentz didn’t pitch at all. Reynaldo López, Bryce Elder and Martín Pérez were not available for the postseason. In October, it was the games of Sale, Mahle and then the bullpen led by Ray Kerr and Grant Holmes. It’s hard to count on much from Waldrep and Schwellenbach in 2027, as both underwent elbow surgery late in the year. The rest of the group should be available. Atlanta doesn’t have an obvious need for a veteran like Mahle, but that was also the case heading into this season. Depending on the price, it might make sense to bring him back, considering the uncertainty surrounding most of the rotation. Photo courtesy of Brett Davis, Imagn Images
