DONE DEAL: Braves Signs another veteran player.

Braves Sign Zach Thompson to Minor League Contract

The Atlanta Braves have signed right-handed pitcher Zach Thompson to a minor league contract, as noted on his MLB.com profile and confirmed by Thompson on Instagram. This signing follows Thompson’s 31st birthday and his recovery from surgery last October to repair a partially torn flexor tendon, which kept him from signing with any team in 2024.

Originally a fifth-round draft pick by the White Sox in 2014, Thompson made an impressive MLB debut with the Marlins in 2021, where he played a key swing role. Across 26 appearances, including 14 starts, he pitched 75 innings with a 3.24 ERA and 3.69 FIP, striking out 21% of batters while walking 8.9%. His success led to a trade to the Pirates in the 2021-22 offseason as part of the deal for catcher Jacob Stallings.

Thompson’s 2022 season with Pittsburgh was less successful, posting a 5.18 ERA and 4.87 FIP over 122 1/3 innings in 29 appearances. His strikeout rate dropped to 16.6%, and his home run rate nearly doubled, prompting the Pirates to designate him for assignment in early 2023. Thompson was subsequently traded to the Blue Jays, where he spent most of 2023 in Triple-A, posting a 4.61 ERA across 24 starts. After undergoing surgery in October, he elected free agency.

Zach Thompson

Now healthy, Thompson aims to revitalize his MLB career with Atlanta. The Braves have a history of helping pitchers rebound, as seen with Grant Holmes and Jesse Chavez in 2024. With Chavez and A.J. Minter potentially leaving in free agency, Thompson could compete for a bullpen role in spring training, especially if the Braves prioritize strengthening their rotation amid expected departures of Max Fried and Charlie Morton.