The Atlanta Braves designated right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez for assignment on April 1, and according to his MLB profile, the club optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett on April 3. That same day, Chavez elected free agency.
Chavez made just one appearance for the Braves in the 2025 season. He pitched two innings in a road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 31, allowing two hits, one earned run, and one home run. He walked two, struck out one, and threw 41 pitches—21 for strikes.
The 41-year-old veteran, born in San Gabriel, Calif., has played 17 Major League seasons and had five separate stints with Atlanta—in 2010, 2021, 2022, and again after being claimed off waivers on August 30, 2022. He remained with the organization through 2023.
Chavez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox on February 8, 2024, and received an invitation to spring training. After being released, he signed with the Braves again on March 25, 2024, and was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. The club selected his contract on March 28.
In 2024, Chavez made 46 relief appearances for Atlanta. He threw 63.1 innings, posted a 2-2 record with a 3.13 ERA, allowed 60 hits, 22 earned runs, and 10 home runs. He also issued 19 walks, struck out 55 batters, and registered a 1.247 WHIP. He elected free agency after the season on October 31, 2024.
Chavez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on January 27, 2025, and was invited to spring training. He appeared in eight games between Atlanta and Texas during the 2025 spring slate, recording a 0-1 record 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 and selected his contract on March 31—just before his lone regular season outing.
In his 17 seasons, Chavez has played with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008-09, the Kansas City Royals from 2010-11, the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012 and in 2016, the Oakland Athletics from 2012-15, the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and in 2022, the Texas Rangers in 2018 and from 2019-20, the Chicago Cubs in 2018 and in 2022.
Entering 2025, the 2021 World Series champion had logged 1,134 career innings over 653 appearances, including 85 starts. He owns a 51-65 record, 4.24 ERA, nine saves, and a 6.8 WAR, with 1,145 hits allowed, 534 earned runs, 163 home runs, 358 walks, 1,036 strikeouts, and a 1.325 WHIP.
(AP Photo/Jason Allen)
