Braves Trade for Catcher Jason Delay, Place Reynaldo López on 60-Day IL…
The Atlanta Braves continue to shuffle their roster, making moves to strengthen their organizational depth. While this latest transaction won’t be a game-changer, it’s another step as they navigate a challenging stretch.
Today, the Braves acquired catcher Jason Delay from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
Delay had limited playing time in 2024, recording just 19 plate appearances. This marked a significant drop from his 2023 season, when he appeared in 70 games, logging 187 plate appearances while slashing .251/.319/.346 with a .296 wOBA and 81 wRC+. Despite those modest offensive numbers, he posted a 1.1 fWAR, largely due to his strong pitch-framing skills and ability to steal strikes behind the plate.
Despite his MLB experience, Delay will report to Double-A Columbus, though he will remain on the Braves’ 40-man roster. To make room, Atlanta officially moved right-hander Reynaldo López to the 60-day injured list. López is scheduled to undergo surgery on his inflamed left shoulder and will be sidelined for at least two months. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, López likely won’t return until after the All-Star break.
In a separate move, veteran reliever Jesse Chavez was outrighted and subsequently elected free agency, ending his latest stint with the Braves.
While these moves won’t drastically alter the team’s fortunes, they help clarify the roster situation as the Braves continue to adjust amidst injury setbacks.
