The Atlanta Braves' 2025 season has been a rollercoaster ride featuring plenty of head-scratching moves. One of the more confusing moves came on May 29 when the Braves signed outfielder José Azócar to a minor-league contract less than a week after he was designated for assignment by the New York Mets.
Azócar's early-season performance wasn't much to write home about, making it even more confusing as to why the Braves wanted their NL East rival's scraps. Although the 29-year-old can be a decent pinch runner/hitter when he's on his game, the abysmal .596 OPS he recorded with the Mets left Atlanta fans feeling uncertain about his signing.
It didn't take long for the Braves to see enough, announcing that Azócar was DFA'd on June 16. The veteran outfielder quit the franchise by electing free agency two days later and has since been waiting for a new contract.
At least, that was the case until Friday.
Former Braves OF José Azócar Returns to Mets After Being DFA'd
Second chances aren't unusual in baseball, and the Mets are giving one to the recently DFA'd Braves vet. On Friday, New York announced that Azócar is back with the club on a minor-league deal, leaving time to tell if this stint will go smoother than the last.
The Mets have signed José Azocar to a minor league deal
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 27, 2025
He played in 12 games with the team earlier this season pic.twitter.com/L1HRvef0VF
It's interesting to see Azócar returning to the Mets despite the fact they DFA'd him twice this year; first on March 27 before doing so again last month. He only played 12 games (19 at-bats) during his first stint, slashing .278/.350/.278 with an RBI, one stolen base, and a pair of walks.
Meanwhile, Azócar was limited to only two outings a a Brave. The Venezuela-born OF was used as a pinch runner and pinch hitter in his appearances and failed to record a single stat, making it easy for Atlanta to kick him to the curb.
Only time will tell if Azócar's next stint with the Mets goes better than the last. On the flip side, the Braves likely won't miss a player who barely made a mark during his forgettable run.