Atlanta Braves: “Great to have” Jesse Chavez back for postseason
By Kevin Henry
ATLANTA — With the Atlanta Braves claiming pitcher Jesse Chavez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, manager Brian Snitker has a familiar face and reliable arm back in his bullpen as September dawns and the chase for Atlanta’s second consecutive World Series title begins.
“It’s good when you get somebody that experienced and that you have such a good relationship with and he knows the situations. From pitch one to the last pitch, he’s ready to go and do whatever he can to help us win the game,” Snitker said before Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Truist Park.
What Jesse Chavez can mean for the Atlanta Braves in September and beyond
The 39-year-old Chavez has pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 89 games over three seasons during his 15-year MLB career. That includes 23 regular-season outings last season from June 24 on and seven games in the postseason, with two of those being scoreless outings in the World Series.
Chavez started a game in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers (throwing one clean inning as the opener in Game 4) and finished one as well (getting the final two outs in a Game 3 loss). He’s proven his flexibility, something that Snitker sees as a big plus in his return.
Chavez pitched in 31 games earlier this season for Atlanta, posting a 2.11 ERA/2.55 FIP/1.226 WHIP before being traded to the Angels in exchange for Raisel Iglesias just before the MLB trade deadline expired. In 11 games with the Angels, the ERA for Chavez ballooned to 7.59, but he gave up runs in just three of the outings (including eight in two innings over two appearances against Seattle).
Still, the numbers were enough for the Angels to place him on waivers, where he was quickly snapped up by the Braves.
“I saw him pitch in his last outing against the (Toronto) Blue Jays and he looked pretty good,” Snitker said. “The ball was moving really well.
“I didn’t see them all and I know the numbers weren’t great, but he’s an experienced guy who keeps himself ready,” Snitker said. “We know he can go multiple innings and do a lot of different things for us.”
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Look for Snitker to employ Chavez in various roles throughout the season to ensure that is ready in whatever way he is needed once meaningful baseball begins in October.
“It’s great to have him back. Jesse has done nothing but good things since we started acquiring him over the last couple of years,” Snitker said.