The Atlanta Braves could consider adding left-hander Adrian Morejon this offseason. The 27-year-old left-hander is going to be a free agent this offseason after eight years with the San Diego Padres. The biggest question is how he will potentially fit in Atlanta. Should he remain a high-leverage reliever or get another chance to start?
Morejon, who turns 28 in February, established himself as a reliable bullpen arm with the Padres back in 2024. He finished that regular season with a 2.83 ERA and 1.319 WHIP across 60 appearances, striking out 71 batters in 63 2/3 innings.
He followed that up in 2025 with an All-Star selection and this year Morejon was just as dominant.
Those results make him appealing as a late-inning option, especially for a Braves club that will have to decide whether or not they re-sign Raisel Iglesias.
Working in shorter bursts has allowed Morejon to attack hitters with maximum effort. When he was a starter, he was not able to do that. Morejon came up as a starter in 2019 but struggled mightily before fully transitioning to the bullpen in 2022.
With an offseason to prepare, Atlanta could explore whether he can build up his workload and become a starting pitcher again.
Atlanta simply has to prioritize starting pitching this offseason over relief arms. Their lack of depth had the team relying on Ray Kerr and Dylan Dodd for multiple innings in October. While it worked out, it is not a long-term recipe for success.
Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are possible rotation returns, but the Braves have cautioned against counting on either for a full starter's workload.
Starting requires stamina, command and the ability to maintain stuff deeper into games. Morejon has a history of arm trouble, including Tommy John surgery in 2021, and workload management has been a factor throughout his career.
He also dealt with shoulder discomfort during the 2026 postseason, so adding more stress may not be the best idea.
The smarter approach would be signing Morejon primarily as a reliever while giving him a chance to stretch out during spring training. If he handles longer outings and maintains his velocity and command, the Braves could consider him for spot starts or a rotation role. If the experiment does not work, his proven bullpen production still has real value.
Morejon's 2026 numbers support keeping him in relief, but his starting background makes a trial worth exploring. The key is balancing his upside against his injury history and protecting the arm that has made him effective out of the bullpen.