Elieser Hernandez, a former Blue Jays pitcher, is back on the open market right in the middle of Atlanta's playoff push.

The Braves designated him for assignment ahead of their Wild Card matchup against the Phillies.

Right-hander Ricky Vanasco was also DFA'd in the same move, with Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams added to the 40-man roster to make room.

Vanasco went unclaimed and has already elected free agency, according to the transaction tracker.

For Hernandez, this is a familiar cycle. Once Carlos Carrasco signed overseas, Hernandez became Atlanta's go-to DFA carousel arm, getting selected to the roster four times in the second half without ever staying more than a week.

He'd be designated, pass through waivers, and re-sign on a minor-league deal each time. Given that pattern, there's a real chance he returns to Atlanta again before this is over.

Why the Braves still needed him this season

Hernandez pitched well in his various stints, posting a 2.25 ERA across 12 innings with two wins and a three-inning save over five appearances.

His fastball averaged a career-best 92.1 mph out of Atlanta's bullpen, and he struck out more than a batter per inning, though a career-worst 11.3% walk rate came with it.

Pitchers like Hernandez helped Atlanta navigate a genuinely injury-ravaged season on the mound. Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach combined for just 11 appearances, while Reynaldo Lopez, Bryce Elder, and Martin Perez all finished the year on the IL.

Tyler Mahle, added at the trade deadline for rotation depth, started Game 2 of the Wild Card series. Atlanta is expected to turn to a lefty opener, either Ray Kerr or Brent Suter, followed by Grant Holmes as the bulk reliever for tonight's elimination game.

That's far from an ideal setup for a win-or-go-home game, and it underscores just how much pitching rebuilding Atlanta needs to do this offseason regardless of tonight's result.

For Hernandez, this DFA closes another short chapter, continuing a pattern that's defined much of his season in Atlanta. Whether he gets another look there, or elsewhere, remains to be seen as the offseason approaches.