The Atlanta Braves are taking a calculated step toward bolstering their bullpen by bringing back a familiar face. Left-handed reliever, who is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has agreed to a split contract with the club. The Braves announced the signing on Tuesday morning, signaling their interest in adding potential depth once Young has fully healed and is able to resume pitching.
Young, now 31 years old, underwent the well-known elbow reconstruction procedure in May. Recovery from Tommy John surgery typically ranges anywhere from a full year to a year and a half, depending on the pitcher, the nature of the tear, and how smoothly the rehabilitation process unfolds.
Because of that substantial timeline, Atlanta does not yet know when Young will be ready to return to mound work or whether he will be available during the 2025 season. The deal instead represents a long-term depth investment: if Young’s rehab stays on course, the Braves will have a veteran left-hander who can contribute to either the Major League or Minor League pitching staff.
The structure of Young’s contract is worth noting. A split contract differs from a typical Major League deal in that it outlines separate salary levels for time spent in the Majors versus time spent in the Minors. It also does not fully guarantee that the player will spend the season in the big leagues.
For players coming off major injuries—or those who may bounce between the Majors and Triple-A—a split contract offers teams flexibility while still providing the player an opportunity to compete for a roster spot after their recovery. In Young’s case, this kind of arrangement allows the Braves to monitor his progress without committing to a full Major League salary while he rehabs.
Despite dealing with injuries, Young has compiled a believable track record over parts of several Major League seasons. Across 63 career appearances spanning 60 2/3 innings, he owns a 4.01 earned run average.
His underlying numbers reveal a pitcher who can be disruptive: he has struck out nearly 29 percent of the batters he has faced, a strong rate for a reliever, while issuing walks at a 9.3 percent clip. Those figures suggest that Young has the raw stuff to get hitters out at the highest level, though occasional command inconsistencies have at times limited his role.
Young’s most active season came in 2024, when he emerged as a frequently used bullpen option for the New York Mets. He appeared in 42 games that year, the highest workload of his career, and offered the Mets a left-handed complement in a bullpen heavy on right-handers.
This past season, he made 10 additional appearances before his elbow issues surfaced and led to the decision to undergo Tommy John surgery. With his recovery pushing deep into the future and the Mets facing roster decisions ahead of the non-tender deadline, New York ultimately chose not to tender him a contract, allowing him to become a free agent in November.
For the Braves, Young is hardly an unfamiliar arm. Atlanta previously had him in the organization during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While he spent most of that time in the Minor Leagues, he did reach the Majors with the Braves in 2023, appearing in eight games and showing flashes of his potential. His time with Atlanta gave the organization first-hand exposure to his work ethic, his pitch mix, and his ability to compete against big-league hitters—factors that likely played into their decision to bring him back on a low-risk contract.
The Braves’ interest also reflects a larger organizational priority: adding layers of depth to a bullpen that has seen heavy usage in recent seasons. Injuries, fluctuating performance, and the natural volatility of relievers make depth signings essential for teams with postseason ambitions.
A left-handed reliever with strikeout capability is particularly valuable, especially one who already understands the team’s culture and pitching philosophy. By reuniting with Young, Atlanta essentially makes a future-minded bet: if he returns to health, he could slot into the bullpen as another matchup-capable option; if he does not, the financial investment remains minimal.
While Young still has a long rehabilitation road ahead, the Braves believe he could become a contributor at some point during or after the 2025 season.
His return will depend on several benchmarks—resuming throwing, progressing to bullpen sessions, eventually facing hitters, and finally participating in competitive games. Tommy John recoveries vary widely, and setbacks are not uncommon, but many pitchers return successfully with equal—or sometimes improved—velocity and movement.
Ultimately, Young’s signing reflects the kind of strategic depth move that competitive teams often make quietly during the offseason. Atlanta is familiar with him, values his ability to miss bats, and sees potential long-term upside once his elbow heals. For Young, the deal presents an opportunity to reestablish himself in an organization that has previously believed in his abilities. If all goes well, the partnership may once again lead him to the Major League mound in a Braves uniform.
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