CPBL’s Uni-Lions To Re-Sign Jackson Stephens

Former Braves reliever Jackson Stephens is heading back to the Uni-Lions of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League, as relayed by CPBL Stats. Stephens was released by the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to sign in the CPBL in August. He’ll now re-up with the Uni-Lions for 2026.

Stephens emerged from relative obscurity to become a semi-regular member of Atlanta’s bullpen in 2022. After some time out of pro ball, the righty pitched in the Mexican League in 2021. He earned a minor league deal with the Braves in January 2022 and was promoted to the big-league club in April. Working primarily as a multi-inning reliever, Stephens delivered a respectable 3.69 ERA across 53 2/3 innings. He chipped in two saves (of the three-inning variety) and even made a spot-start in the final game of the season. Stephens’ solid work in the bullpen resulted in an NLDS roster spot. He came through with two scoreless innings in Atlanta’s Game 1 loss to Philadelphia.

Stephens was largely squeezed out of a bullpen spot the next two seasons, making just eight appearances with the big-league club. He also missed time with multiple injuries. Stephens was pitching well with the Stripers this past year, tossing 49 innings with a 2.57 ERA. Opponents hit just .202 against him across 22 appearances. Perhaps not seeing a path to return to the MLB squad, Stephens chose to pursue an opportunity in Taiwan.

Cincinnati took Stephens in the 18th round of the 2012 draft. He slowly worked his way up the Reds system, reaching the majors in 2017. Stephens earned the win in his first career start, holding the Cubs to three earned runs over five innings. He posted a 4.83 ERA across parts of two seasons in Cincinnati.