After a tough loss to the Nationals on Tuesday night, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to bounce back with promising rookie AJ Smith-Shawver taking the mound. But beyond their current road series in Washington, there’s quite a bit happening with the Braves organization that fans might have missed—even those closely following the team.
Like many MLB teams right now, the Braves are experiencing a lot of roster movement at the minor league level, with players being promoted or shuffled around. Unfortunately, that also means parting ways with some, including first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and reliever Jordan Weems.
Cooper, once a regular nuisance for the Braves during his time with the Marlins, was signed to a minor league contract by Atlanta in January, perhaps with hopes he could rekindle some of that form.
Meanwhile, Weems, who had a solid year with the Nationals in 2023, has struggled to regain that performance in 2024, even in the minors. With the Braves having depth in both areas, cutting ties allows both players the opportunity to find roles elsewhere.
In other Braves-related news, Andruw Jones—whose name frequently surfaces in Hall of Fame discussions due to the ongoing debate over his Cooperstown candidacy—is stepping into a new role. Jones will manage Team Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, aiming to give back to his native Curaçao.
A two-time WBC participant himself and previously a bench coach for the Netherlands in 2017 and 2023, Jones was a logical choice for the managerial position as the team seeks fresh leadership.
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