Currently, the most uncertain aspect of the Atlanta Braves’ roster is the bullpen. While there are other areas of concern, the bullpen has several positions that are truly up for grabs, and with Joe Jiménez out, the team also needs to solidify the roles of their high-leverage pitchers.
So far, most of the progress in this relief competition has been seen through roster cuts, as the team trims down on fringe bullpen candidates, including two more cuts on Saturday. However, the Braves’ front office is known for looking for bargains during the spring, and they especially enjoy bringing back familiar relievers.
While Jesse Chavez, a repeat Brave, has already moved on, another familiar face, Jackson Stephens, has returned to the team on a minor league deal.
The return of Jackson Stephens on a minor league contract is not surprising, as many of the same minor league depth players tend to make their way back to the Braves every season. Since 2022, Atlanta has signed, designated for assignment, and re-signed Stephens multiple times. While there were a few moments when Stephens seemed to be on the verge of securing a permanent role, he never quite managed to lock it down.
Though it’s unclear whether his current deal includes an invitation to spring training, it’s reasonable to assume that the Braves will keep an eye on him. Given the current uncertainty in the bullpen, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stephens pitch in a few spring training games, even though he lacks minor league options. This would allow the team to ensure they’ve explored every possible option.
Given the bullpen depth the Braves already have, it’s most likely that Stephens will stay in minor league camp and begin the season in Gwinnett. The Braves are focused on building pitching depth in the minors to prepare for the long season ahead, so this move appears to be more of a backup plan rather than adding another immediate contender for a bullpen spot.
