Dylan Covey is a name that keeps bouncing around Major League Baseball like a well-worn glove. The right-handed pitcher has just signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves, complete with an invite to big league spring training.
This move, first reported by Braves beat writer Justin Toscano, comes after an interesting turn of events for Covey this offseason.
From Mets to Braves in a Matter of Days
Here’s the rundown: Covey, now 33, initially landed a major league contract with the New York Mets earlier this winter.
But baseball, as we know, is a ruthless business. After the Mets signed righty reliever Ryne Stanek, Covey got designated for assignment by the end of January.
He cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A, and then said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” electing free agency instead. Less than a week later, he’s suiting up for another NL East squad, this time in Braves colors.
A Quiet 2024 After a Solid 2023
If you’re wondering when you last saw Covey on a major league mound, you’d have to go back to 2023, when he made 28 appearances for the Phillies, logging a respectable 3.69 ERA over 39 innings.
Not bad, right? But 2024? Nowhere to be found in the majors. He spent the entire season in the Phillies’ minor league system, waiting for another shot.
Before that, Covey had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 2023, making just one major league appearance and posting a 4.50 ERA before getting designated for assignment.
He originally signed with L.A. on a minor league deal and spent most of his time in Triple-A before heading to the Phillies.
A Well-Traveled MLB Career
Going back even further, Covey was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft but made his big league debut in 2017 with the Chicago White Sox. He stayed in the South Side until 2019 before bouncing around with the Rays and Red Sox in 2020.
Then came an overseas chapter—Covey took his talents to Taiwan, pitching for the Rakuten Monkeys in the Chinese Professional Baseball League before returning stateside in 2023.
His MLB career numbers? A 6.18 ERA over 100 appearances (46 starts). Those aren’t exactly ace-level stats, but Covey’s still hanging around, proving there’s always a market for veteran arms with experience.
Now, with the Braves, he’s got another shot to make an impact. Will he break camp with the big league squad? That remains to be seen.
