The Atlanta Braves have forged plenty of rivalries over the years but few have match the vitriol they have with reliever Jose Ureña. Ureña forged his place in Braves history when he intentionally plunked Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2018 and the bad blood has continued as he embarked on an 11-year career.
Fortunately for Braves fans, that career has taken a few turns this season. Ureña has pitched for three different teams in 2025, posting a 5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings. The poor performance has the 33-year-old as a frequent visitor to the chopping block and he was kicked to the curb for a third time on Monday night.
Braves Villain Jose Ureña DFA’d by Dodgers
According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that the team will be designating Ureña for assignment. The move comes as the Dodgers plan to recall right-hander Matt Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City and sends Ureña looking for a job for the third time this season.
José Ureña will be the odd man out as the Dodgers call up Matt Sauer tomorrow, per Dave Roberts.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 10, 2025
Ureña started this season with the New York Mets but was designated for assignment after allowing five earned runs in his lone appearance with the team. His longest stint this season was with the Toronto Blue Jays where he made six appearances. But that stint didn’t go well as he allowed five earned runs in 12.1 innings before being cut for a second time and opting for free agency.
The 33-year-old pitched better with the Dodgers, allowing an earned run with a pair of strikeouts over three innings, but that wasn’t enough to save him from looking for his ninth team since the 2022 season. He started his career in 2015 and pitched six years for the Miami Marlins but has since achieved journeyman status including stints with the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers.
As a player that can start or pitch in relief, Ureña should have suitors for his next team. But Braves fans can’t help but laugh as one of their biggest villains is once again out of work.