The Atlanta Braves have added more depth to their roster with the addition of infielder Jose Azocar. Azocar agreed to a minor league contract with a non-roster invite to spring training.
This is Azocar's second stint with the team, as he was on the roster briefly in 2025. It lasted about two weeks before he was let go by the Braves. He then returned to the Mets on a minor league contract. He spent the rest of the season at Triple-A with a .241 average, including four homers, 13 doubles, 17 stolen bases, and 28 RBI.
Braves add former infielder Jose Azocar on a minor league contract for the 2026 season
During his time in the majors last season (with Atlanta and New York), Azocar slashed .263/.333/.263 over 14 games. This included five hits, one RBI, one strikeout, two walks, and a .596 OPS.
He isn't known for being very good at the plate, but his speed is certainly intriguing enough to take a chance on. Azocar is great depth, and he can play all three outfield spots should an injury arise. His defense is average, so this is simply a move to provide the roster with flexibility. Barring something unexpected, Azocar will start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. He is well down on the depth chart. If he becomes an important part of the roster, something terrible has happened.
The Braves have been doing a great job addressing their needs this offseason. This also applies to their depth concerns that plagued them last year. Hopefully, Alex Anthopoulos and the front office have something more up their sleeve to make Atlanta favorites to win the World Series.
There's been a lot to be critical of over the last couple of years, but it seems they've learned from those struggles. It's nice to see the desire to be a top-five payroll organization actually being put into practice. Minor moves like adding Azocar are paramount to ensure the team isn't thin during the long haul of a 162-game season.