Jarred Kelenic in Trouble again After Involving in……. See More

The Atlanta Braves sent reliever Jackson Stephens to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, clearing a spot on the opening day roster for fan favorite Jesse Chavez.

The 40-year-old Chavez was signed by the Braves a day earlier after being released by the Chicago White Sox, who jettisoned the veteran right-hander after he gave up nine earned runs in seven innings during spring training.

This will be Chavez’s fifth stint with Atlanta.

“It’s good to be home,” Chavez said, choking back tears. “Words can’t express how I feel right now. There’s so many emotions going on with how I feel about Braves country that it’s really tough.”

The right-hander was one of the team’s most effective relievers in the first half last season, posting a 1.56 ERA with one save in 36 games. But he wound up missing more than three months after taking a comebacker off his left leg hit by Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera on June 24.

When Chavez returned late in the season, the Braves felt he was not as effective as he was before the injury and left him off their postseason roster. After the season, the Braves made no attempt to re-sign him, allowing him to join the White Sox.

Now, Chavez is back in more familiar surroundings for what he says will be his final season.

Stephens was outrighted to Gwinnett after posting a 3.68 ERA in six appearances covering 7⅓ innings during spring training. It looked as though he would make the 26-man roster for Thursday’s scheduled opener at Philadelphia until the Braves got a chance to bring back Chavez for the long-relief role.

Chavez was first acquired by the Braves on Dec. 11, 2009, in a trade with Tampa Bay for Rafael Soriano before being traded to Kansas City less than a year later.

The Braves again obtained Chavez from the Chicago Cubs for reliever Sean Newcomb on April 21, 2022, before sending him to the Angels later that season in a deal that brought closer Raisel Iglesias to Atlanta.

The Braves selected Chavez off waivers later in the 2022 campaign and signed him again as a free agent heading into last season. He has played with nine teams — five of them multiple times — over his 16-year career.

The Braves are throwing baseball fans a curveball this year with some exciting new additions to the Truist Park experience. This season there will be new food, renovations, more chances to win big, a few new faces and even some familiar ones.

OF Adam Duvall

Outfielder Adam Duvall of Louisville, Kentucky is back for a three-peat with the Braves after a year-long stint with the Boston Red Sox.

The trade comes as a pleasant surprise for fans who remember the 35-year-old from 2021, the year the Braves won the World Series. Duvall has also played for the likes of the San Fran Giants, Cincy Reds and Miami Marlins.

But, clearly, there’s nothing like the Peach State. Third time’s the charm!

NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 23: David Fletcher #64 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during the Atlanta Braves Photo Day at CoolToday Park on Friday, February 23, 2024 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
INF David Fletcher

Infielder David Fletcher is trading the West Coast for the best coast. The Braves are welcoming the 29-year-old from the Los Angeles Angels.

He’s got an impressive batting record. In fact, Fletcher led the Angels in hits with a professional record of .277 and a 26-game record-setting hitting streak for the MLB in 2021.

Fans are excited to see what he’ll bring to the upcoming season and how he meshes with the other guys.

NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Luis Guillorme #15 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during the Atlanta Braves Photo Day at CoolToday Park on Friday, February 23, 2024 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
INF Luis Guillorme

Joining Fletcher in the infield is 29-year-old Luis Miguel Guillorme Gonzales from Venezuela.

Guillorme got his MLB start with the New York Mets in 2018. He unofficially made history during spring training in 2021 when he endured the 22 pitches, the longest at-bat against St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks.

At the top of the year, the Braves snagged Guillorme with a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Jarred Kelenic #24 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during the Atlanta Braves Photo Day at CoolToday Park on Friday, February 23, 2024 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
OF Jarred Kelenic

The Braves may have shocked fans when they tapped Jarred Kelenic for a starting position at just 24-years-old with a spotty hitting record as of late. But Kelenic is proving why he deserves the spot and reminding the world what made him a first round draft pick for the Mets in 2018.

Kelenic showed up and showed out during 2023 spring training. He batted .353/.389/.706 with four home runs in 54 plate appearances and hit the longest regular-season homerun at 482 feet, setting a record at Wrigley Field.

Despite breaking his foot that summer, he is looking to be a strong addition to the Braves.