Jesse Chavez is Back With the Braves While Reynaldo Lopez is Back on the Injured List

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jesse Chavez and the Atlanta Braves never seem to part ways for long.

The team purchased the 41-year-old right-hander’s contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, bringing him back for his fifth stint with the Braves since 2021 and sixth overall.

He first joined the team during the 2009 offseason in a trade for Rafael Soriano. In 2021, Chavez signed a minor deal with Atlanta and later joined the Braves’ staff, helping them win the World Series.

Chavez has played for nine different teams in his long career, including multiple stints with Toronto, the Los Angeles Angels, Texas and Chicago Cubs.

“We need as much positive as we can have right now, and Jesse definitely brings that,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s part of the family, and it’s always good when you see Jesse walk through that door.”

Chavez returned on the same day the Braves found out outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Chavez has a 2.53 ERA spanning 158 appearances for the Braves since 2021.

Also Monday, the Braves designated right-hander Héctor Neris for assignment.

The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Reynaldo López on the 15-day injured list on Monday because of an inflamed right shoulder.

López allowed nine hits and three runs in a loss to San Diego on Friday night in his season debut. The move to the injured list was made retroactive to Saturday.

The Braves recalled right-hander Bryce Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to take López’s spot on the active roster. Elder went 2-5 with a 6.52 ERA in 10 starts for Atlanta last season

López went 8-5 with a 1.99 ERA in 2024 in his first year with the Braves.

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