Veteran pitcher Jesse Chavez elects free agency

Right-hander Jesse Chavez has elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. That indicates he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week.

Chavez, 41, has been on and off Atlanta’s roster this year. Three separate times, they have signed him to a minor league deal, selected him to the roster and then bumped him off after a brief stint. His most recent selection was on July 6. A little over a week later, he was designated for assignment when Atlanta acquired Dane Dunning from the Rangers.

Around those transactions, Chavez has tossed eight innings over four appearances. He has allowed eight earned runs on 14 hits and five walks while striking out eight opponents. He has also logged 30 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level with a 2.05 earned run average, 28.8% strikeout rate, 9.6% walk rate and 37.3% ground ball rate.

Chavez will now have a chance to speak with all 30 clubs, though he always seems to find his way back to Atlanta. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two sides reunite on a fresh minor league deal in the coming days. The club is lined up to be a deadline seller in the rest of the month. Closer Raisel Iglesias seems likely to move while guys like Rafael Montero, Pierce Johnson or Aaron Bummer could be on the move as well. That could open up some more major league opportunities for Chavez or other pitchers down the stretch.