Braves seek to strengthen pitching staff ahead of trade deadline

Atlanta's president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is working to improve the Braves' pitching depth before the trade deadline. The team acquired right-hander Tyler Mahle from the Giants on Sunday, adding a back-of-the-rotation option while continuing to explore front-line starters such as Logan Webb, Casey Mize and George Kirby.

Anthopoulos is also monitoring the reliever market, looking for value from teams out of contention. The Braves currently rely on a core bullpen trio of Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee and Didier Fuentes, with hopes that Robert Suarez will return from injury. Manager Walt Weiss said Suarez is still far from ready to pitch.

Recent injuries have further strained the staff: Reynaldo López suffered a left-knee injury, Spencer Strider remains sidelined, and Hurston Waldrep is undergoing multiple elbow evaluations. The club recently added outfielder Lane Thomas and minor-league pitcher Bailey Falter from the Royals and is considering additional moves, including possible acquisitions of left-handed reliever Daniel Lynch IV or right-hander Michael Wacha.

Anthopoulos indicated the organization will remain aggressive in the market, having already inquired about Jacob de Grom and kept an eye on the Tarik Skubal pool. The goal is to ensure the bullpen is healthy for the postseason while adding at least one reliable starter to the rotation.