The 2025 MLB season has been a busy time for Atlanta Braves fans, especially those who are still keeping track of the franchise's former players. Ex-Braves have been making headlines for positive and negative reasons throughout the campaign, often providing fans with a temporary break from the head-scratching decisions manager Brian Snitker & Co. have been making.
When it comes to the more unfortunate headlines, another former Brave just found out he'll have to sign with a new team to continue his MLB career.
Former Braves IF/OF Juan Yepez DFA'd by Nationals on Monday
On Monday, the rival Washington Nationals announced that they have designated former Braves infielder/outfielder Juan Yepez for assignment. According to ESPN, the move was one of a handful done to create room for top third-base prospect Brady House.
We have made the following roster moves:
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 16, 2025
- Selected the contract of 3B Brady House from Triple-A Rochester
- Recalled OF Daylen Lile from Triple-A Rochester
- Optioned OF Robert Hassell III and INF José Tena to Triple-A Rochester
- Designated INF Juan Yepez for assignment
Yepez's Braves tenure ended over eight years ago, so it isn't surprising that some fans might not remember him. The Venezuela-born veteran joined Atlanta as an international prospect at the age of 16 in 2014 and spent three years in the organization's system before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Matt Adams in May 2017.
Playing for Single-A Rome in 2016 and 2017 was the highest Yepez made it in the Braves' system. Since leaving Atlanta, the versatile 27-year-old has made 166 MLB appearances (539 at-bats) split between the Cardinals and Nationals. He impressively slashed .283/.335/.429 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 62 outings with Washington last year; however, that wasn't good enough to prevent him from beginning 2025 in Triple-A.
It turns out the Nationals were right to start the ex-Brave in the minors. Yepez struggled immensely before being DFA'd, batting .199 with .575 OPS while only mustering three HRs, 14 RBIs, and 21 strikeouts in his 45-game run with Rochester.
The silver lining for Yepez is that he won't be turning 28 until February, meaning he still has a potentially lengthy MLB career ahead of him. First, he'll have to find a new place to get his performance back on track. Otherwise, the ex-Braves' outlook will get grimmer before it improves.