After an impressive comeback with the Atlanta Braves, 40-year-old right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez has shared his plans to retire following the 2024 season. The seasoned reliever, currently a free agent, expressed his desire to conclude his career on a high note during an interview on MLB Network Radio’s “Loud Outs.”
“I think this is probably going to be it,” Chavez stated during the interview. “We all talked about me going out the way I came in—being able to roll out of bed and pick up a baseball and throw it. And that’s how I feel, still. So I feel like that’s kind of unique, in a way, where we don’t get that option too many times where we can go home healthy.”
Chavez’s baseball journey began when the Texas Rangers selected him in the 42nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Over his 16-year career, he moved between various teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, and a return to the Texas Rangers. However, it was his return to the Braves that marked a resurgence in his performance.
Despite facing challenges in 2022 with the Cubs and Angels, Chavez found his stride again upon rejoining the Braves. His impressive 2023 season marked his fourth year with the team, boasting a career record of 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, and 3.1 WAR. In the last season alone, he delivered stellar numbers, going 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, and 1.4 WAR while striking out an impressive 10.1 batters per nine innings.
As the 2024 season approaches, Chavez’s final destination in the MLB remains uncertain. However, his notable contributions to the game, coupled with a career earning of approximately $23.8 million, underscore a remarkable journey in professional baseball that is poised to conclude on his own terms.
