Braves, Jesse Chavez reunite again on minor-league deal

Jesse Chavez and the Atlanta Braves just can't quit each other.

Less than 48 hours after he was cut by the Texas Rangers, the veteran pitcher made yet another return to the Braves organization on a minor-league contract.

Chavez will be in Braves camp Sunday and will pitch in their Grapefruit League finale against the Baltimore Orioles. His performance could determine whether he makes the team's Opening Day roster, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

"We're gonna take a look at him today," manager Brian Snitker said, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. I think he always had trouble pitching in Arizona (where the Rangers train), because I don't know that the cutter and all that stuff works for him out there. So we'll see what it looks like today. We're still trying to decide on which way we're going (for the final roster spot)."

Chavez spent most of the last four seasons in Atlanta, where he became a reliable member of the Braves' bullpen as well as a fan favorite. Long after a brief first stint with the team in 2010, he rejoined in 2021 and turned in a career year as the Braves won the World Series.

Since then, Chavez has bounced around a bit yet somehow always managed to end up in a Braves uniform. He signed with the Chicago Cubs in March 2022 but was traded back to Atlanta that April. The Braves then dealt him to the Los Angeles Angels for closer Raisel Iglesias at that year's trade deadline only to claim him on waivers less than a month later.

This latest reunion comes almost a year to the day after a similar spring transaction. On March 25, 2024, Chavez rejoined Atlanta on a minor-league deal following his release from the Chicago White Sox. He posted a 3.13 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 55 strikeouts over 46 appearances for the Braves last season.

Chavez had a difficult 2025 camp in Texas, putting up a 9.45 ERA over seven appearances. If he makes the Braves, the 41-year-old would likely do so as a long reliever at the back of the bullpen.

He owns a lifetime 4.24 ERA, 4.21 FIP, and 1.33 WHIP with 1,036 strikeouts across 1,134 big-league innings with nine teams. The bulk of that work has come during his many stints in Atlanta, where Chavez owns a 3.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 186 appearances.