Braves claim Mets reliever off waivers; DFA Yonny Chirinos

The Braves add a bullpen option on their 40-man roster, making room by designating Yonny Chirinos for assignment

The Atlanta Braves today announced they have claimed former Mets right-handed pitcher Penn Murfee off of waivers. 

The #Braves today claimed RHP Penn Murfee off waivers from the New York Mets and designated RHP Yonny Chirinos for assignment.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 14, 2023

Murfee, 29, was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Santa Clara University. He went 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 80 relief appearances since debuting in 2022 for the Mariners, striking out 92 and walking 28 in 83.1 innings. 

Murfee's 2023 season prematurely ended with elbow surgery in July, but he's expected to be available by mid-2024. 

New York claimed Murfee on October 31st off of waivers, but could not find room on their 40-man roster to keep him and Atlanta subsequently made the claim with an eye on bullpen flexibility in the future - Murfee has three minor league options left and won't be a free agent until 2029. 

To make room for Murfee on the 40-man roster, Atlanta DFA'd Yonny Chirinos. 

Chirinos, who was acquired in a minor deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, went 1-1 with a 9.27 ERA in his five Atlanta starts before going on the injured list with a shoulder issue. There was optimism amongst the organization that a fully healthy offseason could allow Chirinos to regain his early career form, where he went 9-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 2019 while swinging back and forth between the bullpen and starting. 

The end of the Yonny Chirinos experiment

Atlanta's instead chosen to DFA him instead and he'll have the option to choose free agency, as he has five years of service time. He was a potential non-tender candidate this week, as his arbitration salary is projected to be around $2M and he has no remaining minor league options. 

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