Jesse

Chavez

The Braves bring back a familiar face with Chavez, who posted a 1.56 ERA in 34 2/3 innings last season in Atlanta. The 40-year-old veteran started his spring camp with the White Sox and was released after he allowed 10 earned runs in seven innings. Atlanta decided to give him a chance in camp and now he is officially on the Opening Day roster.

The 40-year-old was electric for the Braves last year, posting a 1.56 ERA in 34 2/3 innings; however, he settled for a minor-league contract with the White Sox at the start of the spring. He then allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits with an 8/2 K/BB ratio across seven innings and was released. The Braves will bring him back into the fold and see if he can claim one of the final bullpen spots.

Bonnes admitted that it was his mistake and he misconstrued what he was being told by his sources. It sounds like there has been dialogue between the two parties, but no agreement has been reached at this time and Chavez is still free to sign anywhere that he chooses.

Chavez was released from the White Sox earlier this weekend but found another team in the AL Central to pitch for this season. The veteran should provide plenty of veteran presence in the Twin bullpen and will likely pitch in low to medium leverage for Minnesota.

Chavez was lit up for 10 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits with an 8/2 K/BB ratio across seven innings (seven appearances) this spring in Cactus League action. The 40-year-old righty was hoping to return for one final season in the big leagues, and might still get a chance somewhere else.

The 40-year-old hurler got the start for the White Sox in this one, and the Cubs jumped on him right out of the gate. Christopher Morel tagged him for a two-run shot before he recorded an out. After a Miguel Amaya single, Chavez settled down and fanned Matt Mervis and Alexander Canario before the Cubs pushed four additional runs across on run-scoring doubles by Joe Hudson and Matt Shaw. Chavez is believed to be in the mix for the team’s closer role to begin the season — with John Brebbia sidelined with a calf issue — but this outing isn’t going to help his cause.

Brebbia’s absence opens the door for veterans like Bryan Shaw or Jesse Chavez to potentially open the regular season as Chicago’s primary closer. There likely won’t be a ton of save chances for the White Sox, but at this juncture it seems highly unlikely that the 33-year-old righty will be ready for the outset of the 2024 campaign. There should be some clarity on his potential return timeline once he’s cleared to resume throwing in a few weeks.

If Brebbia isn’t ready, the job might default to Bryan Shaw and/or Jesse Chavez initially, though there’s hope that one or two of the youngsters will step up this spring. Brebbia still seems like the only White Sox reliever worth selecting in mixed leagues right now.

Despite posting a 1.56 ERA in 34 2/3 innings for the Braves last year, Chavez is having to settle for a minor league deal in his age-40 season. At least it comes from a team that almost certainly will give him a bullpen spot. He might even earn some saves, which would be fun for a guy who has totaled nine in 16 big-league seasons.

Chavez is currently a free agent after spending the last 16 seasons with nine different organizations. The 40-year-old journeyman righty has had a couple stints with the Braves in recent years, including this past season when he finished with a microscopic 1.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 39/12 K/BB ratio across 34 2/3 innings (36 appearances).