The Atlanta Braves called up 41-year-old right-hander Jesse Chavez for his fifth stint with the club ahead of their three-game series at Dodger Stadium, the team announced Monday. To make room, the club designated right-hander Hector Neris for assignment.
The #Braves today selected RHP Jesse Chavez to the major league roster and designated RHP Héctor Neris for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 31, 2025
Atlanta opens the series against the defending World Series champion Dodgers on March 31 at 10:10 p.m. EDT. Tyler Glasnow will start for Los Angeles, while Braves manager Brian Snitker will send Grant Holmes to the mound at Chavez Ravine.
A native of San Gabriel, California, Chavez returns to Atlanta for a fifth stint with the club. He previously suited up for the Braves in 2010, 2021, and 2022, rejoined them off waivers in August 2022, and remained through the end of the 2023 season. He signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox on February 8, 2024, earning an invite to big league camp before returning to the Braves on March 25 and reporting to Triple-A Gwinnett. He had also been selected to Atlanta’s major league roster last season on March 28
In 2024, Chavez appeared in 46 games out of the bullpen for the Braves. He threw 63.1 innings, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.13 ERA. He allowed 60 hits, 22 earned runs, and 10 home runs, walked 19 batters, struck out 55, and finished with a 1.247 WHIP. He elected free agency on October 31, 2024.
Chavez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on January 27, 2025, and earned a spring training invite. He appeared in eight exhibition games between Texas and Atlanta, going 0–1 with an 8.31 ERA over 8.2 innings. He allowed 13 hits, eight earned runs, one home run, six walks, and struck out seven.
Atlanta re-signed Chavez on March 22 before selecting his contract again on March 31.
Over his 17-season MLB career, Chavez has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008 and 2009, the Kansas City Royals in 2010 and 2011, the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012 and again in 2016, the Oakland Athletics from 2012 through 2015, the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and 2022, the Texas Rangers in 2018 and again from 2019 to 2020, the Chicago Cubs in 2018 and 2022, and the Atlanta Braves during five separate stints.
A Braves’ 2021 World Series championship team member, Chavez has logged 1,134 career innings across 653 appearances, including 85 starts. He owns a 51–65 record with a 4.24 ERA, nine saves, a 6.8 WAR, 1,036 strikeouts, 358 walks, and a 1.325 WHIP.
He’ll compete for a spot in Atlanta’s bullpen alongside Enyel De Los Santos, José Suarez, Daysbel Hernández, Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, and Pierce Johnson as the Braves open their 2025 campaign.
Photo Source: (AP / Jason Allen)
