Braves Release McCutchen, Gomber, Gamel

The Braves released a trio of veterans from their Triple-A affiliate yesterday, per the transaction log at MiLB.com: outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, left-hander Austin Gomber and outfielder Ben Gamel. All three are free agents who can sign with any team now. They all have ample big league experience and could find new minor league opportunities with clubs looking to load up on some post-deadline depth.

McCutchen, 39, is obviously the biggest name of the bunch. The former NL MVP signed a minor league deal with the Rangers this past offseason and broke camp with the club on Opening Day. He didn’t hit much in a short sample with Texas, batting just .192/.277/.260 in 83 trips to the plate before being cut loose. Cutch’s MVP days are obviously well behind him, but he was a league-average bat in Pittsburgh from 2024-25 and could latch on with a club seeking some help against lefties. He went 10-for-30 with three doubles and a homer in 32 plate appearances with the Braves’ Gwinnett club (.333/.375/.533).

Gomber hasn’t pitched in the majors yet this season — the first time since 2019 he hasn’t logged at least some big league action. He also signed a minor league deal with Texas before being cut loose and making his way to the Braves organization. The 32-year-old southpaw was hit hard with the Rangers’ top affiliate (7.75 ERA in 32 2/3 innings) but has been a better in Gwinnett, pitching 48 2/3 frames with a 4.81 ERA, 16.7% strikeout rate and 6.9% walk rate. Gomber posted fifth starter results in four years with the Rockies (5.08 ERA, 17.7 K%, 6.7 BB% in 544 innings) and is a depth option for clubs looking to stash an experienced arm in Triple-A.

Another veteran with more than six years of service, Gamel hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2024. He’s a career .252/.334/.381 hitter who has pretty neutral splits against lefties and righties. Gamel doesn’t walk much or play great defense, but he’s drawn walks and put the ball in play at just high enough levels to have roughly league-average offensive output despite a lack of power. He’s had a tough run in Triple-A this season, however, hitting only .210/.333/.328 with a nearly 32% strikeout rate in 225 trips to the plate.