As the Atlanta Braves gear up for spring training, one thing is clear: they made it through the offseason without losing any core pieces to free agency. There were no qualifying offers extended, and frankly, no major departures that would keep Braves fans up at night. The biggest name with any real risk of leaving was closer Raisel Iglesias, but Atlanta moved quickly to bring him back into the fold.
Still, with pitchers and catchers reporting soon, a handful of former Braves remain unsigned, lingering on the free agent market as teams finalize their rosters. Some are familiar faces who made real contributions in Atlanta; others are more of the “wait, he played for the Braves?”
variety. Let’s take a closer look at a few of those names still looking for a home as spring training approaches.
Marcell Ozuna
This is the headliner. Marcell Ozuna is still out there, and while it’s not shocking, it is a little surprising given the scarcity of power bats on the market.
Yes, his 2025 season was a steep drop-off from prior years-there’s no sugarcoating that. But Ozuna has shown he can be a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat, and there’s always a market for right-handed pop, especially from a guy with his track record.
The problem? He’s a bat-only player at this stage of his career, and designated hitter-only types have a narrower market to begin with.
Add in his off-the-field history, and it’s easy to see why teams might be hesitant. Still, it’s hard to imagine Ozuna not landing somewhere before Opening Day.
He may not get the role-or the paycheck-he envisioned, but his bat will likely find a home.
Evan Phillips
Phillips is a name that Braves fans might remember from the early stages of his career, though his best work came after he left Atlanta. Drafted by the Braves in the 17th round back in 2015, Phillips made his debut with Atlanta before being shipped to Baltimore in the Kevin Gausman deal in 2018.
Since then, he’s quietly carved out a strong big-league career, posting a 2.88 ERA over 241 appearances with the Orioles, Rays, and Dodgers. Unfortunately, his momentum came to a halt in May 2025 when he underwent Tommy John surgery.
That rehab timeline means he’s not expected to pitch in the early part of 2026, and teams are likely waiting to see how he looks post-recovery before making a move. Don’t be surprised if he signs later in the year once he’s closer to being game-ready.
Gio Urshela
Gio Urshela’s time in Atlanta was brief, but impactful. During a brutal stretch in 2024 when injuries were piling up left and right, Urshela stepped in and delivered. In just 36 games, he managed to put up 1.0 rWAR-a solid contribution in a short span and a welcome bright spot during a tough run.
After that, he moved on to Oakland, where things didn’t go nearly as smoothly. He struggled with the A’s and was eventually designated for assignment.
Now 34, Urshela’s running out of chances to stick in the majors, but his versatility and experience could still earn him a look this spring. Teams always need infield depth, and a veteran like Urshela could be a valuable insurance policy if he shows he’s still got something left in the tank.
While none of these former Braves are likely to tip the scales in a pennant race at this point, they each bring something to the table-whether it’s power, bullpen experience, or steady infield play. And as we’ve seen time and again, spring training often opens doors for players just like these. Don’t be surprised if one or more of them finds themselves back on a big-league roster before long.