Braves tweak pitching depth: NL East roundup

There were no games on the schedule for NL East clubs yesterday, but the Atlanta Braves still managed to headline the day with a set of roster moves as they look ahead after a 94-68 season atop the division.

Braves add Danny Young, DFA Luke Williams

According to 680 The Fan, the Braves have selected the contract of left-hander Danny Young from Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding move, the club designated infielder Luke Williams for assignment.

As reported, Young had been on track to qualify for minor league free agency, but this move keeps him in the Atlanta organization and secures another left-handed arm on the 40-man roster. Williams now enters the DFA process, a step that could lead to a waiver claim by another team or a removal from the 40-man if he is ultimately outrighted.

Ian Hamilton chooses minor league free agency

Elsewhere on the Braves’ pitching front, MLB Trade Rumors notes that two veteran relievers have elected minor league free agency, per the MiLB.com transactions page. Among them is Ian Hamilton, who had been in the Braves’ system.

MLB Trade Rumors points out that Hamilton landed a non-guaranteed major league deal with Atlanta after being non-tendered by the New York Yankees last November. By electing minor league free agency, the right-hander now heads to the open market and departs the Braves’ depth chart.

Big-picture view in the NL East

In the broader NL East landscape, Atlanta still sets the pace after its 94-68 campaign. The Philadelphia Phillies finished close behind at 88-74, followed by the Miami Marlins (80-82), Washington Nationals (77-85) and New York Mets (74-88). Even on an off day, Atlanta’s roster shuffling underlines how little downtime there is for teams trying either to stay in front or close the gap in one of the league’s more competitive divisions.