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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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A hectic season for the Atlanta Braves recently gave way to a steady stream of talent leaving the organization.
On Thursday, a large group of Braves players elected free agency. That group included a former All-Star closer in Alexis Díaz, a former all-world prospect in outfielder Jarred Kelenic, and another pitcher who played a key role in his team winning a World Series ring less than two years ago.
Right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning, who arrived with the Braves in a July 18 trade with the Texas Rangers, has had a tough couple of seasons after throwing some big innings for the World Series-winning Texas team in 2023. And at the end of his two-month stint in Atlanta, he evidently decided that a fresh start was the best course of action.
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After the Braves outrighted Dunning off the 40-man roster last Wednesday (meaning he also passed through waivers), Dunning elected free agency alongside Kelenic, Díaz, and infielder Luke Williams.
In seven appearances for the Braves, Dunning allowed 12 earned runs and 15 hits in just 10 innings of work. He also pitched 23 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett, with a 5.09 ERA and only 16 strikeouts.
Two seasons ago, Dunning was a major contributor for the Rangers team that won its first title in franchise history. He threw 172 2/3 innings to the tune of a solid 3.66 ERA in the regular season, leading the team in innings and helping to weather the storm of ace Jacob deGrom's season-ending elbow injury.
Dunning also threw five times out of the bullpen in the postseason that year, allowing four earned runs in seven innings of work.
Dunning's career has gone sideways, as he's pitched to a 5.60 ERA in 115 2/3 major league innings since the start of last season. But he's 30 years old, was once a first-round draft pick (2016, Washington Nationals), and carries enough name value to at least earn an invitation to spring training with a club next season.
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