Braves Claim Osvaldo Bido, Anthony Molina to Bolster Pitching Depth

The Atlanta Braves are once again working the margins of the roster market. This time, they’re scooping up two intriguing right-handed arms — Osvaldo Bido and Anthony Molina — off waivers.

These moves won’t dominate headlines, but they fit a longstanding organizational pattern. Atlanta loves to find undervalued pitching, manage options cleverly, and let its player development machine do the heavy lifting.

In the process, Atlanta has also designated left-hander Josh Walker for assignment. It’s just another reminder of the constant roster calculus that defines a contender’s offseason.

Braves Double Down on Waiver Wire Pitching Upside

Atlanta’s claims of Osvaldo Bido from the Oakland Athletics and Anthony Molina from the Colorado Rockies are classic low-risk, potentially useful depth plays. Both pitchers were exposed to waivers as their former clubs juggled 40-man spots ahead of the Rule 5 draft.

This time of year always reveals which organizations believe they’re close to contention — and which are still reshuffling the deck.

Osvaldo Bido: Late Bloomer with Mixed Recent Results

Bido, 30, isn’t the typical “upside prospect” you see claimed in November. Still, his profile offers some intrigue for a club that needs rotation depth.

The right-hander flashed real promise in 2024, posting a strong 3.41 ERA. He showed he could navigate lineups effectively when his command and sequencing worked for him.

But in 2025, Bido’s ERA ballooned to 5.87. He pitched in a hitter-friendly Triple-A environment, where fly balls tend to leave the yard, and his declining strikeout rate exposed him further.

The A’s, already tight on roster space, found it tough to justify a 40-man spot for a pitcher who’d just exhausted his final minor league option. That lack of options is key.

Bido can’t be sent to the minors without passing through waivers again. So the Braves will either need to keep him on the big league roster or risk losing him.

From Atlanta’s perspective, a pitcher who’s recently shown sub-3.50 ERA capability at the upper levels deserves a look. Maybe the organization believes it can unlock a little more swing-and-miss or sharpen his pitch mix.

Anthony Molina: Rule 5 Survivor Still Searching for Consistency

Bido represents more immediate depth, but Anthony Molina is more of a long-term play. The 24-year-old was a Rule 5 draft pick by Colorado in late 2023.

At least one front office saw enough in his profile to force him onto an MLB roster for a full season. The results, though, were rocky.

Molina logged 94 1/3 innings with the Rockies but stumbled to a 6.96 ERA. He struggled to miss bats while pitching in one of the most unforgiving home environments in the game.

His strikeout rates stayed modest. That left little margin for error in Coors Field when balls found gaps or carried out.

Yet the Braves seem focused on the underlying traits. Molina’s consistently shown:

Crucially, Molina still has minor league options remaining. That gives Atlanta the flexibility the A’s never had with Bido.

The Braves can shuttle Molina between Triple-A and the majors as needed. They can tailor his workload and development path without being forced into premature big league exposure.

Colorado Connection and Atlanta’s Pitching Blueprint

One detail that’s easy to overlook: the Braves have a recent history of dipping into Colorado’s pitching pool. Names like Pierce Johnson, Brad Hand, Tyler Kinley, and Ryan Rolison have all made the Denver-to-Atlanta trip in recent seasons.

Why the Braves Keep Betting on Ex-Rockies Arms

Pitchers coming out of Colorado often carry bruised stat lines. But that’s where opportunity hides.

ERA and home-run totals can get inflated in Coors Field, masking real skills. Atlanta seems willing to look past surface numbers and trust its scouting, analytics, and development to rebuild value.

In Molina’s case, his groundball profile and command fit the same mold. Those traits might play up in a more neutral environment, especially with a stronger defensive unit and a staff that specializes in pitch design and usage tweaks.

Josh Walker DFA: The Roster Squeeze Gets Real

To make room for Bido and Molina, the Braves designated left-hander Josh Walker for assignment. It’s a tough but predictable consequence of adding multiple arms at once.

Walker had only recently been claimed off waivers himself. That’s a sign he, too, had attracted interest as a depth play.

Walker’s Future and the Cost of Roster Flexibility

Walker’s MLB track record includes a 6.59 ERA. Like many fringe arms, he’s shown enough in the minors to keep clubs curious.

Walker, like Bido, has exhausted his minor league options. That makes him tough to stash as pure depth.

Under current rules, the Braves have about a week to either trade Walker or place him on outright waivers again. Another club seeking left-handed depth could easily take a flyer, especially one less constrained by immediate 40-man crunch than a World Series hopeful like Atlanta.

What These Moves Say About the Braves’ Offseason Strategy

Look at the claims of Bido and Molina, plus the DFA of Walker, and you get a decent snapshot of the Braves’ offseason mindset. This team knows the value of layered pitching depth and doesn’t hesitate to cycle through arms with different traits.

They’ll chase upside where others might just see risk. Option years? Atlanta treats those like a secret weapon.

Bido gives them some near-term insurance and has had recent flashes of success. Molina, on the other hand, brings developmental upside and handy roster flexibility.

Walker’s just the odd man out, squeezed by a crowded 40-man roster. It’s not flashy, but these small, quiet moves can end up mattering a lot when the games start to really count.

 
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