Atlanta Braves Sign Versatile Pitcher

The Atlanta Braves have signed veteran reliever Jose Cuas to a minor league contract, assigning the right-hander to Double-A Mississippi, per the team’s transaction log. 

The move comes as Atlanta looks to deepen its bullpen options amid a turbulent stretch of injuries and underperformance from key arms.

Cuas, who turns 31 next month, was most recently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being released earlier in May. He struggled over seven appearances, allowing eight earned runs in just 5.1 innings while walking five and striking out four. Despite his rough start to 2025, the Braves are giving the sidearming righty a fresh opportunity to rediscover the form that once made him a valuable big-league reliever.

Cuas Brings Experience and Unique Delivery

Cuas has appeared in 132 MLB games since debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2022, posting a career 4.37 ERA over 119.2 innings. His unconventional low-slot delivery has helped him generate deception and ground balls, but command has always been a challenge. After being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2023, Cuas posted a 3.04 ERA in 23.2 innings, though an inflated walk rate and high FIP signaled potential warning signs. Stints with Toronto and Philadelphia followed in 2024, but control issues ultimately led to his demotion.

Former #BlueJays reliever Jose Cuas has signed a MiLB deal with the Braves per the tracker.

— Tyson Shushkewich (@Tyson_MLB) May 26, 2025

The Braves now hope that Cuas can recapture the flashes of dominance he’s shown in the past. If he’s able to iron out his command, he could factor into Atlanta’s bullpen plans later this season, especially with closer Raisel Iglesias enduring a down year and the team’s relievers ranking in the lower third of the NL by FIP.

Low-Risk Move with Potential Upside

For Atlanta, signing Cuas is a classic low-risk, high-reward move. The club is dealing with a bullpen in flux, and Cuas joins a group of non-roster depth arms that includes Craig Kimbrel and Jesse Chavez. Though he’ll start in Double-A, the Braves have a track record of revitalizing struggling pitchers. If Cuas can sharpen his mechanics and regain confidence, he could find himself back in the majors before season’s end.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images