Atlanta signed Brebbia to a one-year contract and added him to the active roster Sunday.
Brebbia posted a 6.29 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB while gathering 13 holds and two saves in 48.2 innings over his 54 appearances for the White Sox this season before being released by the club Thursday. Though he quickly found a home in Atlanta, he'll go from being one of the White Sox's top high-leverage arms to likely working in the middle innings with his new team. Even with A.J. Minter (hip) lost for the season, Atlanta still has several capable arms ahead of Brebbia in the pecking order to serve as setup options in front of closer Raisel Iglesias.
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John Brebbia: Released by White Sox
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The White Sox released Brebbia on Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Brebbia cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and is now out of the organization altogether. The 34-year-old has a bloated 6.29 ERA on the season but also a 58:17 K:BB over 48.2 innings, and he was the perceived favorite to be Chicago's closer not long ago. He should draw some interest on the open market.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Designated for assignment
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The White Sox designated Brebbia for assignment Tuesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
The veteran right-hander filled a high-leverage role for Chicago this season and recorded two saves and 13 holds, but he hadn't been particularly effective with a 6.29 ERA in 54 outings. Brebbia posted a sub-4.00 ERA in five of his six MLB campaigns entering the season, so he could receive some interest from other teams.
Brebbia (0-6) allowed three earned runs on one hit and one walk while recording one out to take the loss Monday against the Royals.
Brebbia is the presumed closer in Chicago after Michael Kopech was dealt to the Dodgers on Monday. However, things didn't go as planned when he entered the game with a runner on first and a one-run lead, as he allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base -- one was hit by a pitch -- before serving up a game-winning grand slam to Bobby Witt. Brebbia has now allowed eight earned runs across his last five appearances -- spanning four innings -- so even if he does pick up rare save chances, he's likely to provide very poor ratios.
White Sox's John Brebbia: Blows save versus Rangers
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Brebbia blew the save in Monday's 4-3 loss at Texas. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in one inning.
After Michael Kopech took over in the seventh inning and worked 1.2 frames, Brebbia was called upon to close out a one-run lead in the ninth. After inducing a Josh Smith flyout, the 34-year-old yielded a double to Wyatt Langford before Jonah Heim singled home Langford to tie the game and force extras. Brebbia has hit a rough patch lately, as he's yielded runs in three consecutive outings, allowing five earned across 2.2 innings. However, if Kopech is dealt at the July 30 trade deadline and Brebbia stays in Chicago, he could see more save chances down the stretch.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Implodes to take loss
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Brebbia (0-5) allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two to take the loss Sunday against the Royals.
Brebbia began the season in poor form but entered Sunday's game having maintained a 1.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with a 28:4 K:BB across his past 19.1 innings. He has been one of the White Sox's top setup men in that span and has racked up eight holds. Michael Kopech appears to have a grip on the closer role for the team, but setting aside Sunday's tough outing, Brebbia has proven to be a reliable high-leverage option.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Secures second save
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Brebbia picked up the save in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the Astros, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.
After rookie Jonathan Cannon turned in 8.2 scoreless innings, Brebbia entered with two men on via a pair of two-out singles. The veteran reliever induced a Victor Caratini groundout to lock down Chicago's 20th win on the season. Michael Kopech has struggled mightily of late -- sporting a 11.37 ERA over 6.1 innings with three blown saves in his last eight appearances -- opening a path for Brebbia to claim the White Sox closer role. The 34-year-old appears ready for more save opportunities, as he owns a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB across 7.1 innings in June.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Secures first save
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Brebbia earned a save against the Guardians on Saturday by retiring all three batters he faced, including one by strikeout, in the ninth inning.
Michael Kopech has emerged as Chicago's primary closer early in the campaign, but manager Pedro Grifol opted to go to Brebbia in the ninth Saturday with the team holding a two-run lead. The right-hander got the job done, setting down the side in order on 14 pitches for his first major-league save since 2018. It's unclear why Kopech wasn't used despite getting Friday off -- it's worth noting that he notched back-to-back saves Wednesday and Thursday -- but if he has to miss time for any reason, Brebbia would be among a group of White Sox relievers who could snap up any save opportunities that arise.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Activated from IL
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The White Sox activated Brebbia (calf) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Brebbia wound up missing just over the minimum 15 days with a right calf strain. He should be used in high-leverage spots out of the White Sox bullpen but is probably well behind Michael Kopech in the pecking order for saves.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Set to begin rehab assignment
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Brebbia (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Brebbia is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Sunday, and it would appear he could be back at that time if he can get through Friday's rehab appearance without any hiccups. The veteran reliever has been out the last two weeks with a right calf strain, which was an apparent aggravation of an injury he suffered back in February.
Brebbia was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, retroactive to April 6, with a left calf strain.
The right-hander exited his appearance Friday against the Royals with calf soreness and will be out for at least the next couple weeks after being diagnosed with a strain. Jordan Leasure and Steven Wilson could see more high-leverage spots in front of closer Michael Kopech while Brebbia is sidelined.
Brebbia was removed from Friday's game against the Royals with an apparent injury, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Brebbia looked uncomfortable on the mound after fielding a comebacker during the the sixth inning, and he was pulled from the game after throwing a few warmup pitches in front of trainers. It's not immediately apparent what is bothering the 33-year-old right-hander, who is expected to be part of the late-inning mix for the White Sox this season.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Dealing with calf soreness
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Brebbia exited Friday's game versus Kansas City early due to right calf soreness.
Brebbia battled a right calf strain during most of spring training, and he seems to be experiencing issues with that same calf once again. The severity of the right-hander's injury remains unknown, but a trip to the IL may be necessary to ensure his calf gets back to 100 percent.
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White Sox's John Brebbia: Works in setup role
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Brebbia allowed two walks over one-third of an inning in Tuesday's win over Atlanta.
Brebbia entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He retired the first batter he faced before surrendering two free passes, after which he was pulled. Brebbia didn't help himself with the performance, but regardless of the results, his usage suggested he'll serve as the White Sox's primary setup man with Michael Kopech getting the chance to close.
White Sox's John Brebbia: Works ninth in 2024 debut
Rotowire
Brebbia pitched a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.
The 33-year-old right-hander was bothered by a calf strain early this spring, but Brebbia was able to make a couple Cactus League appearances late in camp and seems healthy to begin the season. He was viewed as a potential closing candidate in an unsettled White Sox bullpen heading into 2024, so his high-leverage usage Saturday is encouraging, but the better news for Brebbia's fantasy outlook might have been how manager Pedro Grifol has deployed his competition. Rookie Jordan Leasure worked the sixth Saturday and got a hold, while Michael Kopech pitched the eighth Thursday with the team down by a run.
