The Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers’ transaction tracker indicates that catcher Chadwick Tromp has been re-signed by the Braves to a minor league contract. The Braves simply didn’t bother to bother him last week. Luke Williams, an infielder who was also non-tendered by Atlanta the previous week, has returned to a minor league contract. Although Lucas Williams, a right-handed pitcher, is listed on the transactions tracker, MLBTR has confirmed that the Williams who was recently non-tendered is the one Atlanta re-signed this week. Williams hasn’t pitched in affiliated ball since 2017. Additionally, the team signed minor league free agent Grant Holmes to a minor league contract.
The 28-year-old Holmes was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 draft, but he has not yet made his major league debut. In 2023, he pitched 61 relief innings with a 3.54 earned run average, 28.7% strikeout rate, and 10.1% walk rate while on a minor league contract with Gwinnett. He spent 2019–2021 on the A’s roster and used up all of his option years, so if he is added to the roster at any point in the following year, he will be without options.
Tromp, who turns 29 in March, has had just a few big league opportunities over the previous four years. Over a four-year period, he played in 40 games with the Giants in 2020 and 2021 and Atlanta in the last two years. In his 102 career plate appearances, he has a batting line of.222/.225/.414. He played in 65 games during his largely optional assignment in 2023, hitting 10 home runs and walking in 16% of his plate appearances. His batting line of.210/.336/.384 was still below average overall, good for a wRC+ of 84.
Tromp was not eligible for arbitration last week, but Atlanta still non-tendered him. By doing this, they avoided having to worry about him being placed on waivers, allowing them to swiftly re-sign him this week in a non-roster role. The only backstops on the roster right now are Travis d’Arnaud and Sean Murphy, who are expected to be the major league catching tandem. Tromp will provide them with some depth in Triple-A, ready to be used should an injury arise. He will still have one option year left if he is added back to the roster the following season.
In June, Atlanta claimed 27-year-old Williams as an infield player from the Dodgers. His major league career spans 148 games, beginning in 2021. Prior to joining the Dodgers and Atlanta, he was with the Phillies, Giants, and Marlins. Despite his poor hitting stats in the majors (.225/.281/.295), he has at least demonstrated defensive versatility by filling in at every position save catcher. Additionally, in 23 tries, he has stolen 17 bases.
Despite having a strong lineup already, Atlanta only has 11 hitters on their 40-man roster at the moment, which leaves plenty of room for position players and the bench. Williams can provide them with some coverage everywhere on the diamond without temporarily occupying a roster spot. He still has an option, so if he is added back to the team in the future season, he can be sent to the minors without having to go through waivers.
The 28-year-old Holmes was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 draft, but he has not yet made his major league debut. In 2023, he pitched 61 relief innings with a 3.54 earned run average, 28.7% strikeout rate, and 10.1% walk rate while on a minor league contract with Gwinnett. He spent 2019–2021 on the A’s roster and used up all of his option years, so if he is added to the roster at any point in the following year, he will be without options.alta
