Braves release right-handed pitcher to sign a contract in Taiwan originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Atlanta Braves released an effective pitching depth option on Thursday.

That’s because Jackson Stephens had opted to take an opportunity in Taiwan.

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Stephens has signed a contract with a team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

It’s likely that his release was done in conjunction with knowing the new contract in the CPBL was waiting for him.

Stephens is 31 years old and has been very good in 49 Triple-A innings this season. He has a 2.57 ERA for Gwinnett.

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The big righty has plenty of MLB experience, throwing 132.1 innings at the highest level with a 4.15 ERA.

Stephens was originally an 18th round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Oxford High School in Alabama.

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He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Reds and made seven appearances that season with a 4.68 ERA.

Stephens pitched in 29 more MLB games in 2018 with a 4.93 ERA.

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He didn’t make it back to the majors until 2022 with the Braves. That season, he threw in 39 games and had a 3.69 ERA.

In 2023, Stephens got into five games with the Braves and had a 3.00 ERA.

And last season, Stephens allowed one run in 3.1 innings with Atlanta.

Despite the Braves’ pitching injury troubles this season, Stephens didn’t get another promotion. It’s likely not easy to line up a different contract this late in the campaign, so Stephens will head to Taiwan for his next opportunity.

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