The Atlanta Braves are set to open up the 2025 regular season on the road Thursday afternoon against the San Diego Padres. However, before the Braves make the trip out west, they are still putting the finishing touches on their roster in the last few days of Spring Training.
On Sunday morning, the Braves brought back a familiar face to the bullpen, who will try to make the Opening Day roster.
According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta signed veteran relief pitcher Jesse Chavez to a minor league deal. The 41-year-old Chavez was recently released by the Texas Rangers a couple of days ago. Chavez signed a minor league deal with the Rangers in January.
The inevitable has happened: #Braves signed Jesse Chavez to a minor league deal, after the 41-year-old was released by the Texas Rangers a couple of days ago.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 23, 2025
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the Braves will evaluate the veteran’s performance on Sunday to see if he fits for the Opening Day. He also mentioned Chavez could be a possible long-reliever for Atlanta.
The Braves will evaluate Jesse Chavez’s performance today to determine if he’s a fit for the Opening Day roster. Chavez could be the long guy who would help as the Braves play the first seven days. But carrying Smith-Shawver to start at least one game makes a lot of sense too
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 23, 2025
When the Rangers released Chavez, Braves fans knew it was only a matter of time before the team re-signed the vet.
The 41-year-old right-handed pitcher struggled in Spring Training with the Rangers, posting a 9.45 ERA in seven appearances. Chavez allowed 10 hits, seven earned runs (1 HR), and four walks, but struck out six batters in 6.2 innings pitched.
Last year, Chavez signed with the Chicago White Sox in Feb. 2024. However, he ultimately re-signed with the Braves on Mar. 25, 2024. Chavez has spent the last three years in Atlanta and five overall with the club.
Last season with the Braves, the right-handed pitcher had a 2-2 record and a 3.13 ERA in 46 appearances. The veteran reliever allowed 60 hits, 22 earned runs (10 home runs), and 19 walks in 63.1 innings pitched. Chavez also had 55 strikeouts during that stretch, which isn’t too shabby.
During his five-year run, the veteran pitcher has a 12-9 record and a 3.09 ERA in 186 games. After a disappointing showing with the Rangers in Spring Training, we’ll see if Chavez has anything left in the tank to make a case to be a part of the Braves’ Opening Day roster.