This afternoon, the Atlanta Braves announced the signing of pitcher Austin Cox to a MLB deal and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Cox, 28, is a Macon, Ga. native and was a 5th round draft choice by the Kansas City Royals in 2018. The left-hander made his major league debut in 2023 pitching in 24 games before suffering a knee injury while covering first base in early September.

In 2023, he collected 0.5 fWAR while striking out 22.1-percent of the batters he faced. Along with three starts, he also earned a save, across 35.2 innings.

He’s had a high walk-rate through out his minor league career – walking almost 15-percent of batters last year and nearly 11-percent this year, the Braves obviously saw something they liked in the 6’ 4” pitcher.

Cox had pitched in 11 games with Kansas City’s Triple-A team this season. In 12.2 innings out of the bullpen, he stuck out 18 batters.

The team had an open spot on its 40-man roster so no corresponding move was needed.