The Atlanta Braves made a shocking decision on one of their club options. A veteran reliever will now hit free agency.

As long-time Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette prepares to enter free agency, the Braves have now been deemed a potential landing spot.

Bringing Ozzie Albies and Chris Sale back for at least one more season was expected. Bidding adieu to a pair of projected key relievers wasn’t. The Braves exercised Sale’s $18 million club option and Albies’ $7 million option before Thursday’s deadline.

Former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Michael Siani was claimed by the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Siani spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and appeared in 19 games last season, slashing .235/.316/.235. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Reds in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of William Penn Charter School.

Given the way Braun’s 2024 season ended — which featured a 3.26 ERA across two levels, with a 2.38 ERA with Mississippi — expectations were extremely high for Braun coming into this season. The primary focus point for Braun in 2025 was simple: keep progressing.