ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves on Thursday declined club options on two right-handed relivers, according to the team.

Tyler Kinley, 34, will receive a $750K buyout and head into free agency rather than collecting a $5.5 million salary for the 2026 season. Pierce Johnson, 34, will collect a $250K buyout instead of a guaranteed $7 million salary for the 2026 season.

The move on Johnson can be somewhat justified, but the move on Kinley is certainly surprising, given his play for Atlanta upon joining the Braves at the trade deadline from Colorado.

Kinley allowed just two runs over 25 innings for the Braves, posting a 0.68 WHIP and earning a place in former manager Brian Snitker’s “Circle of Trust,” the group of relievers he relied on in high-leverage situations.

In two and a half seasons for Atlanta, Johnson pitched to a 2.91 ERA across 139 innings (1.19 WHIP) and was a silver lining in an all-around unreliable bullpen in 2025.

It was expected that the Braves would retain both pitchers, but these moves signal that the club is attempting to free up money. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both right-handers back on cheaper deals.

Regardless, both relievers are now free agents, raising an interesting question in a reliever class led by Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez.

Right-hander Raisel Iglesias officially became a free agent on Sunday.

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