The 2025 MLB season has not gone to plan for the Atlanta Braves (15-18), who currently sit in fourth place in the NL East. The Braves are six games behind the first-place New York Mets and dropped two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend.
Offensively, Atlanta is ranked 17th in batting average (.242) and 17th in runs per game (4.09). Meanwhile, the Braves have the 11th-worst ERA in the majors (4.26) and are ranked 18th in quality starts (10).
Until those numbers get better, the Braves will have trouble catching the Mets in the NL East. However, despite the slow start, that hasn’t stopped Atlanta from making moves to bolster its depth throughout the organization.
On Sunday evening, the Braves announced they signed left-handed pitcher Austin Cox to a major league contract. Cox will not start in the big leagues as Atlanta sent him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
As you can imagine, Braves fans on social media were not pleased with this move. It looks like another pointless signing that won’t help the club right now.
The 28-year-old pitcher was reportedly with the Royals on a minor league deal, but the Omaha Storm Chasers released him, per his MLB.com profile page. The Macon, Georgia, native has been in the minor leagues this season after appearing in 35 games last year with the Royals.
The southpaw had a 2-1 record and 3.55 ERA in 11 appearances this season with the Storm Chasers (Royals’ Triple-A affiliate). However, he allowed 11 hits, five earned runs (three home runs), and six walks, but landed 18 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Last year with the Royals, Cox had a 0-1 record and 4.54 ERA in 24 appearances (three starts). The left-handed pitcher got hit around a little bit, allowing 28 hits, 18 earned runs (two home runs), 17 walks, and picking up 33 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched.
Nonetheless, the Braves hope Cox can improve with Gwinnett over the next few weeks, as he could become a piece for them out of the bullpen in the big leagues.