Former Atlanta Braves reliever Tyler Kinley has quickly found a new opportunity, agreeing to a major league deal with the Detroit Tigers, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.
Atlanta designated the 35-year-old right-hander for assignment on August 18 to make room for AJ Smith-Shawver, who returned from Tommy John surgery and has since secured a spot in the Braves’ rotation. Kinley was released four days later, allowing him to pursue another team.
Kinley will now finish the 2026 season with Detroit, where he will have roughly five weeks to prove he can earn a role heading into 2027.
The Braves are expected to receive only about $166,500 in payroll relief, representing the prorated portion of the league minimum, while remaining responsible for the rest of his $3 million salary and the $1.25 million buyout attached to his 2027 club option.
Kinley originally joined Atlanta after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies before the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for minor league pitcher Austin Smith.
He posted an impressive 0.74 ERA across 24 appearances to finish that season, but his production declined in 2026. Kinley recorded a 4.01 ERA in 49 appearances, while his home-run rate climbed to 1.9 per nine innings.
With younger relievers such as Didier Fuentes and Dylan Dodd emerging in Atlanta’s bullpen, the Braves ultimately decided to move on.
Because Kinley had more than seven years of service time and could reject an outright assignment, Atlanta released him rather than sending him to the minors.
