The Detroit Tigers' search for bullpen stability has been a rocky road at times in the 2025 season. This includes former Tiger John Brebbia, who started out the season at an incredible pace. Brebbia offered a 1.00 ERA in his first 8 games before the wheels began to fall off, starting with an injury early in the season. Once the veteran reliever was healthy, there simply wasn't the same level of performance with hitters appearing to be taking batting practice off the once reliable reliever. Brebbia watched his ERA swell to 7.71 and left Detroit no choice but to cut ties after a frustrating return.
For the Tigers, this was the right decision in the middle of building an impressive division lead. Brebbia was actively costing you games as a liability out of the pen. Manager A.J. Hinch lost all trust in the option, and it needed to be removed despite what the Tigers paid the reliever in the 2025 offseason. Despite this, Brebbia has wasted little time finding a new landing spot, signing with a familiar team.
Former Tigers Reliever John Brebbia Finds New Landing Spot
Prior to tonight's @GoStripers 2nd-half opener in Norfolk, INF Luke Waddell reinstated from IL (had been out since 4/21) and RHP Jose Ruiz joins active roster (outrighted by @Braves on 6/22). Atlanta also signed RHP John Brebbia to MiLB deal and assigned him to Gwinnett.
— Dave Lezotte (@DaveLezotte) June 24, 2025
The Atlanta Braves have added Brebbia to a minor league deal, giving him a chance to work his way back to the next level. After how ugly things were with the Tigers, even Atlanta's ugly bullpen doesn't have a spot to offer the veteran without a bit of improvement in the minor leagues. For the Tigers, this further proves that it was the right decision. The fact that Brebbia was forced to sign a minor league deal with a fringe contender speaks volumes.
Atlanta's leaky bullpen not having a spot for the former Detroit pitcher only furthers this point. While Tigers fans wish the veteran no ill will, it was an important page turn as the team continues to run away with an impressive division lead.
For Brebbia, it isn't going to take much to continue his career if the reliever can string some consistent performances together in Gwinnett. It wouldn't be surprising to see the former Tiger return to action in Atlanta's pen down the stretch of the 2025 season.