Braves Claim Jake Fraley Off Waivers After Outfielder DFA'd by Reds Amid Playoff Race

The Atlanta Braves have added some outfield help to close out the season.

Jake Fraley, who the Cincinnati Reds designated for assignment on Sunday, was claimed off waivers on Tuesday, the Reds announced.

Fraley, 30, has been with the Reds since 2022, when the team traded Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners in return for him. He had the best season of his career in Cincinnati in 2023 when he notched 15 homers and 65 RBI with a .256 batting average.

In 67 games this year, Fraley has six homers and 23 RBI while hitting .232/.332/.387. He hyper-extended his knee in the 10th inning of Saturday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers, but didn't have to go on the injured list.

Fraley is making $3.1 million with the Reds this season and is set to enter his final year of arbitration this offseason, though he likely wouldn't have been tendered a contract in Cincinnati since it has an influx of lefty batters in the outfield.

“I don’t think there’s ever an easy (cut), regardless of how guys are,” manager Terry Francona said, per The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans. “You’re making decisions that alter their life, and it’s a big deal. We take it that way. Not that I needed an excuse to lose sleep last night, but you do, because you think about it the whole time.”

The Reds are sitting at 66-60 on the season, just a game back from the New York Mets, who hold the final wild card spot. The Braves, meanwhile, are 56-69 and are 10.5 games back, virtually out of postseason contention.