Buck Farmer Released by Braves After Brief Triple-A Stint

GWINNETT, Ga. — Buck Farmer was released by the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday after a short tenure with the team’s Triple-A affiliate. The right-handed pitcher, 34, had a brief stint in Gwinnett, where he pitched five games and compiled a 7.71 ERA across 4 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out seven hitters.

Farmer had signed a minor-league contract with the Braves in February, hoping to revitalize his career after a mixed history in Major League Baseball. Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, Farmer spent eight seasons with Detroit, amassing a record of 24-30 and a 4.71 ERA over his career. He transitioned to a reliable bullpen role during his final three years with the Tigers before a brief stint in the Texas Rangers organization followed by a successful three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds.

During his time with the Reds, Farmer achieved a 3.68 ERA across 193 innings and struck out 194 batters. His tenure with Cincinnati ended before he signed with Atlanta, marking a significant moment in his career as it allowed him to return close to his Georgia roots — Farmer is a native of Conyers, Georgia, about 24 miles east of downtown Atlanta.

“I didn’t think it was ever going to come true,” Farmer said earlier in the spring regarding his signing with the Braves. “Being this far into my career and this is the first time I’ve worn it. That means a lot.” Unfortunately for Farmer, he never appeared in a regular-season game for the Braves.

His release comes as the Braves continue to shape their roster, and Farmer will now need to explore opportunities beyond his home state unless he is re-signed to another minor-league deal. Over his career, Farmer saw extensive action with the Tigers, making 22 MLB starts, and he performed effectively during the 2022 season, posting a 3.04 ERA in 71 innings of work.

Farmer’s release raises questions about his next steps; with 11 MLB seasons under his belt, he has the experience but will need to impress another team with his performance in the minors. “I still feel like I can compete at the highest level,” Farmer expressed in past interviews. Now, he will look to find a new team willing to give him that chance once again.