The Atlanta Braves welcomed back an old friend in reliever Jesse Chavez after he was informed he would not make the Chicago White Sox Opening Day roster. This marks Chavez’s fourth stint with the Braves dating back to 2010 including being a member of the 2021 World Series roster. The 40-year-old righty has been able to use his intelligence and crafty style to navigate MLB despite not having elite pitches. He officially signed a minor-league deal on Monday.
Chavez, should he stick, will likely be used as one of the last members out of the bullpen with the likes of Tyler Matzek coming back from injury and the acquisitions of Pierce Johnson and Aaron Bummer. He sparked for the Braves in 2023 posting a 1.56 ERA across 36 appearances before suffering an ankle injury from a comebacker.
Many believed the Braves may have been a move short this offseason before acquiring Adam Duvall and now Chavez in recent weeks. The team now boasts a lethal lineup, strong starting staff and perhaps the deepest bullpen in all of baseball.