The Atlanta Braves parted ways with Jarred Kelenic early in the 2025 season, despite injuries leaving their outfield as a clear question mark. Kelenic hit .167 and was demoted before electing free agency and landing with the Chicago White Sox during the 2026 offseason, with the move garnering similar results and leading to Chicago parting ways with the veteran. Still, it seems that Kelenic hasn't run out of opportunities just yet, with the Texas Rangers signing the outfielder to a minor league deal.
For Kelenic, this has to be one of the final chances that the hitter is going to earn if the chance isn't taken advantage of. It has been nearly three years since Kelenic was anything close to a viable Major League option, and already two teams with outfield concerns have jettisoned Kelenic, preferring the unknown rather than continuing to hope for a turnaround that appears unlikely to happen.
Atlanta's front office shouldn't be overly concerned with the rare trade bust when you look back at a trade that didn't work out for either side. The Seattle Mariners simply punted on Kelenic's contract, and the Braves parted ways with a pair of prospects that haven't accomplished anything of note since leaving Atlanta's organization.
Former Braves Outfielder Jarred Kelenic Continues to Earn Surprise Opportunities
The third outfield spot has remained an area of concern for the Braves thanks to Jurickson Profar's selfish decisions. However, there was no reason to believe keeping Kelenic was going to provide better production than what Eli White or Mike Yastzemski has offered. The outfielder's struggles and inability to cement his landing spot in Chicago simply serve as further confirmation that the Braves made the right decision.
Considering that the Rangers are currently three games under .500 and desperate for help at the bottom of the lineup, it wouldn't be shocking to see Kelenic given another chance. One that very well could be the veteran's last if things don't fall his way with Texas.
Atlanta has to hope that the left-handed hitter can turn things around, even if his time with the Braves ended in frustration. There is no ill-will towards a player who clearly wanted to produce and simply appeared to get in his head and lose all confidence the longer the slump continued. It will be interesting to watch whether the Rangers can offer any insight that the Braves and White Sox failed to offer. Regardless, it remains clear that Kelenic is very quickly running out of time to turn things around.
Add us as a preferred source on Google