The Atlanta Braves have given their fans little to cheer about as they enter Saturday with a putrid 39-48 record. Sitting nine games below .500 doesn't make for the best vibes, especially with the MLB All-Star Game heading to Atlanta in less than two weeks, leaving time to tell if the Braves can do anything to get back on track before the season is paused.
The Braves' season has gone sideways for numerous reasons, with one of those being the club's failed offseason signings. It didn't take long for some winter additions to go from looking promising to blowing up in Atlanta's face, including the signing of veteran hurler Jordan Weems.
The 32-year-old pitcher was signed by the Braves in December; however, his tenure ended in May following a horrid start to the year. He eventually signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros on June 2, and while things started promising, it hasn't taken long for this opportunity to go bad, too.
Former Braves RHP Jordan Weems DFA'd by Astros
On Friday, Fantasy Pro's Ari Koslow reported that the Astros have designated Weems for assignment. The ex-Braves signing will spend the next few days in limbo for another team to claim him or for Houston to finalize a trade. If neither happens, he can elect free agency.
Weems being DFA'd isn't a surprise given the results of his last appearance. He had his second outing as an Astro on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on five hits in two innings in a 7-6 loss to the National League-worst Colorado Rockies. That was all the Astros needed to see to decide not to give Weems a bounce-back opportunity.
It'll be interesting to see where the dismissed veteran's career will take him next. It'll likely take some strong showings in the minors to foster an MLB call-up, where he lands. He's pitched to mixed results between his time with Triple-A Gwinnett and Sugar Land this season, going 3-2 with a 4.66 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 29 innings in 23 relief appearances.
Weems is a six-year MLB veteran with 142 appearances and 158 2/3 innings under his belt. Even though he hasn't had the most stellar career, that's the type of experience pitcher-needy teams will be willing to roll the dice on, despite how poorly his season has gone.
Hopefully, the Braves aren't considering a potential reunion. The last thing Atlanta fans need is another headache in a campaign that's been filled with them.