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Braves Sign Ex-Guardians Reliever James Karinchak to Minor-League Deal

The low-risk move positions him as a bullpen reclamation candidate evaluated by Atlanta’s development staff in spring.

Overview

  • The agreement was reported at the Winter Meetings, first noted by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
  • Karinchak last appeared in MLB in 2023, missed most of 2024 with shoulder issues, then posted a 2.45 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 29.1 Triple-A innings for the White Sox in 2025 before a June release.
  • He is expected to receive a spring training invite and to serve as organizational depth, with AAA Gwinnett a likely starting point for 2026.
  • The right-hander is known for a high-velocity fastball and a hard 12/6 curve, producing elite strikeout rates alongside persistent control problems.
  • Atlanta has often targeted high-upside relief arms for development, viewing such signings as low-cost opportunities to revive effectiveness.