Lucas Luetge Takes Act To Braves After Being Designated For Assignment By Yankees

Josh Donaldson New York Yankees — The New York Yankees sent Lucas Lutge to the Atlanta Braves after designating him for assignment in favor of Tommy Kahnle. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The Braves have added more bullpen depth with the addition of Lucas Luetge
Luetge finds a new home after being designated for an assignment by the Yankees
The Braves has also welcomed Eli White to their roster

The Atlanta Braves will give pitcher Lucas Luetge a shot after agreeing to a trade with the New York Yankees.

The Braves acquired the left-handed reliever by sending two prospects to the Yanks. These were minor-league right-hander Indigo Diaz and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.

The move comes not long after New York designated the 35-year-old pitcher for assignment last week after the signing of Tommy Kahnle.

Luetge spent six years between major-league appearances before making the Yankees out of spring training in 2021, establishing himself as a solid reliever.

Over 107 total outings with New York in the last two years, Luetge posted a 2.71 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with 138 strikeouts.

He's particularly succeeded against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .587 OPS during his career.

The acquisition of the Texas native should give the Braves more depth in the bullpen that already has the likes of A.J. Minter and Dylan Lee.

Moreover, Luetge is entering the second year of arbitration and projects to earn $1.7 million next year according to MLB Trade Rumors.

Luetge was not the only player added to the Braves lineup with Eli White also coming in from the Texas Rangers.

The 28-year-old White has appeared at the MLB level in each of the last three seasons.

He played in 47 games in 2022 and hit .200, as well as three homers and 10 RBIs.

The Braves designated infielder Lewin Diaz and Hoy Park for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster following the arrival of Luetge and White.

On the side of the Yankees, it will be interesting how Diaz and Durbin will pan out.

Diaz posted a 3.08 ERA over 49.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen with Double-A Mississippi this year.

Diaz, a product of Michigan State, was drafted in the 27th-round pick by Atlanta in 2019.

Durbin, on the other hand, is coming off his first full season with Atlanta's minor league system, registering .241/.352/.372 (92-for-382) with 72 runs, eight home runs and 31 steals in 105 combined games with Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome.

In addition, Durbin plays every infield position except for first base.