As the Atlanta Braves continue to shape and retool their roster in response to injuries, breakout performances, and shifting needs, two veteran names made headlines over the weekend—one on the way out and one choosing to stay.
According to the Gwinnett Stripers’ official transactions page, the Braves have released veteran catcher James McCann. At the same time, reliever José Ruiz has accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A after being designated for assignment earlier in the week.
McCann Lands Opportunity Out West
Shortly after the news of McCann’s release surfaced, the reason became clear. The 11-year big league veteran had secured an opportunity to join the Arizona Diamondbacks at the major league level. And honestly, good for him.
McCann had been quietly thriving with Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a strong .298/.331/.493 slash line in limited action. Despite his success at the plate, there was simply no clear path to Atlanta’s active roster.
With Drake Baldwin breaking out in his rookie season and Sean Murphy now healthy and back in regular action, the catching depth chart was firmly locked down. McCann was originally signed late in spring as an insurance policy—and he did his job, staying ready and professional while waiting for a possible opportunity that never came in Atlanta.
Even after the Braves moved on from Chadwick Tromp when Murphy returned, McCann remained blocked. Add Jason Delay’s presence on the 40-man roster, and the writing was on the wall. Rather than letting him languish, the Braves gave him the green light to pursue a shot with a contender in Arizona.
Ruiz Looks to Reset in Gwinnett
Meanwhile, right-handed reliever José Ruiz is staying in the Braves system. The 30-year-old has accepted his assignment to Gwinnett after being designated for assignment earlier in the week.
Ruiz had a tough go in Atlanta, appearing twice and allowing three earned runs in one of those outings. He was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia earlier this month, following a similarly rocky stretch with the Phillies.
The hope now is that Ruiz can find his footing again in the minors. Not long ago, he was a reliable bullpen piece, logging a solid season in 2023. If he can rediscover his command and effectiveness, he could still offer value as a midseason call-up option—especially given the state of flux Atlanta’s bullpen has experienced this year.
Braves Lean Into the Roster Flexibility
For the Braves, these moves are part of a larger theme: flexibility. With the rotation banged up, the bullpen inconsistent, and the offense just starting to wake up, Atlanta is relying more than ever on organizational depth. Giving McCann a chance elsewhere is a classy move that also clears the way for younger options to stick. Keeping Ruiz in the fold gives the team a veteran arm to work with if needed.
