He’s back again with the Atlanta Braves. And at this point, Jesse Chavez might need his own parking spot, locker plaque, and possibly a Braves Hall of Fame wing dedicated to comebacks.
The 40-year-old right-hander is returning to Atlanta for what could be his fifth stint with the Braves after signing a minor league deal on Sunday. This happened just days after being released by the Texas Rangers. (per The Athletic’s David O’Brien)
A Familiar Face Returns to the Braves
Let’s take a second to appreciate the wild ride Chavez has had. He first joined the Braves in 2010. Since then, he’s made pit stops with the Royals, Blue Jays, A’s, Dodgers, Angels, Cubs, and Rangers—twice with some of those. And yet, he seems to always find his way back to Atlanta.
Chavez rejoins a bullpen that’s been in shuffle mode all spring. The Braves are still weighing their options for those final bullpen spots. According to multiple reports, Chavez will be evaluated in camp to see if he’s a fit for the 2025 Opening Day roster.
The Case for Chavez Revolves Around Stability
Chavez has repeatedly shown that he can still get outs despite being closer in age to some coaches than his teammates. He was unreal in 2023, with a 1.56 ERA over 36 appearances.
Even when he had to throw more innings in 2024, he still posted a respectable 3.13 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. That’s not just hanging on—that’s contributing.
Chavez’s value isn’t just his numbers—it’s his role. The Braves see him as a potential long reliever who can give them multiple innings and stabilize games when things go sideways early. That kind of flexibility matters, especially in a bullpen where the back-end roles are mostly locked up, but the bridge innings remain fluid.
He also brings something you can’t teach: presence. Chavez is a leader in the clubhouse. He’s a calming influence on younger pitchers, and someone who knows what it takes to win in October. He’s proven as he was a key piece of the 2021 championship run.
Chavez vs. Smith-Shawver: The Veteran and the Prospect
One of the most interesting wrinkles to this return? The Braves might be deciding between Chavez and A.J. Smith-Shawver for a final bullpen spot. Talk about different ends of the spectrum. On one side is a vet nearing 1,200 career innings. On the other side is a 21-year-old who throws heat and has a big upside.
This isn’t just a baseball decision; it’s roster management. Chavez doesn’t require the same innings development path as Smith-Shawver, and if the Braves want to preserve their young arm for more high-leverage starts later in the year, Chavez makes perfect sense to handle the early workload out of the ‘pen.
At this point, Chavez clearing waivers or re-signing midseason if needed is practically a tradition. Whether he breaks camp with the team or not, the Braves are once again tapping into one of their most reliable and resilient depth pieces.
And in a year where every inning counts, don’t be surprised if we see Jesse Chavez—Braves jersey and all—coming out of the bullpen with that signature stoic look, ready to do what he’s always done: pitch.
