The Braves announced Tuesday that theyve selected the contract of righty from Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta opened a 40-man roster spot by releasing righty . Fellow right-hander was optioned to Gwinnett to clear space on the active roster. The Braves in exchange for cash late in spring training. Willingham was placed on the minor league injured list earlier this month, and injured players cannot be placed on outright waivers hence the decision to release him rather than try to outright him. Wiles, 26, will give the Braves some length in the bullpen after was unexpectedly placed back on the injured list yesterday following a hamstring injury. Atlanta has been planning to use an opener in tonights game, David OBrien of The Athletic thatll still be the case. However, since Wiles has been working as a starter in Gwinnett, he could give the Braves a much-needed long relief appearance. Hes stretched out fully; his last Triple-A start lasted six innings. An eighth-round pick by Tampa Bay back Tippy Martinez Jersey in 2019, Wiles pitched to an ERA north of 5.00 in three partial seasons at the Triple-A level while in the Rays organization but has had a terrific start with the Stripers. Hes pitched 14 innings acro s three starts and held opponents to a lone earned run on nine hits and five walks with 15 strikeouts (27.8 K%, 9.3 BB%). Hes also kept the ball on the ground at a hearty 52.9% clip. The Braves have several rotation depth options already on the 40-man roster, but Striders injury was particularly ill-timed. All three of , and made their starts in the past three days. Righty and lefty are both on the 40-man roster and have experience starting in the majors, but both are working as relievers in 2025 and both pitched as recently as Sunday (two innings, in Thompsons case). Wiles wouldve been in line to start today for Gwinnett, but hell instead join the Braves ahead of what seems likely to be his major league debut behind tonights opener. Willingham, 26, was a waiver claim out of the Nationals organization back in January. Hes yet to pitch a big league inning for the Braves, his hometown club, but he did tally 25 1/3 innings with the Nats from 2023-24. The results werent pretty, as he was tagged for a bleak 7.11 earned run average in that time. However, Willingham has a solid minor league track record. Hes pitched to a 3.67 ERA in parts of six minor league seasons, including a 3.40 mark in 98 frames of Triple-A ball. As a Georgia Tech product and a native of Rome, Ga., Willingham was surely thrilled to be claimed by the Braves back in the offseason. Todays release ends his tenure with the club for at least the time being, though its common for injured players who released under similar circumstances to re-sign a minor league deal with their current organization. That doesnt guarantee that Willingham will follow that path, as he can now talk with 29 other clubs in free agency, but theres ample precedent a quick reunion. Curt Blefary Jersey