The trade removes a veteran reliever from the Rockies bullpen.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has reported that—per sources—the Colorado Rockies are trading right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley to the Atlanta Braves in return for a prospect.
The Braves are acquiring RHP Tyler Kinley from the Rockies for a prospect, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2025
The Rockies are no strangers to the Braves, who have emerged as somewhat of a “favorite” trade partner over the last few seasons. Most notably they traded reliever Pierce Johnson for pitchers Tanner Gordon and Victor Vodnik at the deadline in 2023.
Kinley, 34, was initially claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins prior to the 2019 season. In six seasons with the Rockies—his longest tenure with any major league team—he has posted a 5.05 ERA in 318 appearances.
Kinley’s under-the-hood numbers via Statcast this season are much better than his 5.66 ERA would suggest. He ranks among the league’s best when it comes to limiting exit velocity and hard hits from opposing batters.
He has also performed much better on the road this season, with a 4.28 ERA compared to a 7.52 figure at Coors Field.
In six seasons with Colorado, Kinley has gone 11-13 with a 5.05 ERA (246.0 IP, 138 ER), 20 saves, 110 walks and 261 strikeouts in 253 games. Also worth noting, his 253 relief appearances for the Rockies rank 15th in franchise history.
In November of 2022, Kinley and the Rockies agreed to a three-year year, $6,25 million contract with a club option for 2026.
As Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt told Kevin Henry earlier today:
For @DenverGazette, talked to #Rockies GM Bill Schmidt about Tyler Kinley … “I appreciate everything that Tyler did for the organization. He was professional, not just between the lines but how he helped the young kids coming up. He was a great mentor to the young kids as they…
— Kevin Henry (@kgh23) July 30, 2025
UPDATE
Thomas Harding has reported the following return for Kinley:
When finalized, the #Rockies will be receiving RHP Austin Smith, an 18th-round pick in 2021, from the #Braves for veteran #RHP Tyler Kinley.https://t.co/fPOAEUPVLd
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 30, 2025
Smith is currently with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones. The 26-year-old reliever attended the University of Arizona and currently has a 4.31 ERA in 29 appearances across High-A and Double-A this season.
Smith pitches with a fastball-slider combo and his delivery provides plenty of extension. He missed the majority of 2023 and 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, pitching just 26 innings last year across three levels.
Bill Schmidt explained to Patrick Saunders the Rockies thinking in acquiring Smith: “He’s a Double-A righty with arm strength. . . . His fastball’s been up to 99 mph. His slider has shown swing-and-miss potential.”
This story will be updated with details become available.
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