The Braves made one more roster shuffle Monday before facing the Mets, and it came with a twist: Eli White was placed on the paternity list, José Azócar was brought back to the major league roster, and Jair Camargo was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man.
White’s absence should be brief, but Atlanta still chose to go with Azócar rather than lean on one of the other outfield options already sitting on the 40-man in Gwinnett. That’s the part that stands out. Brewer Hicklen, a right-hander, was available as another moveable piece, yet the Braves went with Azócar anyway, even knowing White is expected back in just a few days.
For Azócar, this is his third trip onto the Braves’ 26-man roster in 2026. He had two stints in May and went 5-15 with a walk in nine games before Atlanta designated him for assignment when Ronald Acuña Jr. came off the IL in May. His Triple-A numbers haven’t jumped off the page either, with a .638 OPS in 58 games for Gwinnett.
Still, the Braves keep circling back to him. Azócar is out of options, and after being designated for assignment twice by Atlanta this year, he has twice gone the route of clearing waivers, electing free agency, and then re-signing a minor league deal, following the Carlos Carrasco path.
Camargo is the odd man out on the 40-man, though his situation looks more temporary than dramatic. He appeared in one game for Atlanta in the second game of a doubleheader against the Giants, and his .559 OPS at Gwinnett suggests the Braves should be able to keep the 27-year-old catcher around if he clears waivers.
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