On Monday night, the Atlanta Braves will open up a series with the Mariners in Seattle.
They are coming off a sweep of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, most recently winning (on Sunday) by a score of 11-6.
Braves Release Former Diamondbacks Pitcher
GettyRelief pitcher Austin Pope #66 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning of his MLB debut at Chase Field on September 25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 8-0.
Ahead of Monday’s game, the Braves organization released Austin Pope (via MLB.com).
He had been on a minor league deal.
The 27-year-old has pitched in nine Triple-A games this season.
@DbacksStatsInfo wrote: “Former #Dbacks RHP Austin Pope was released from his minor league deal with the Braves. In AAA: 7.50 ERA over 12.0 IP (9 games, 20 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 5 K).”
In AAA: 7.50 ERA over 12.0 IP (9 games, 20 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 5 K).
Pope’s Background
GettyAustin Pope #79 of the Arizona Diamondbacks sits for a portrait at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 21, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Pope was picked in the 15th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He is coming off a season where he made his MLB debut, appearing in one game.
@SleeperDbacks wrote (on September 25, 2025): “Austin Pope in his MLB debut: 2 IP 0 ER 1 K (retired Ohtani) Could be a useful #Dbacks bullpen arm for years to come.”
2 IP 0 ER 1 K (retired Ohtani)
Could be a useful #Dbacks bullpen arm for years to come.
Over the offseason, Pope signed with the Braves organization.
The Braves wrote (via X) on March 5: “The #Braves today optioned RHP Jhancarlos Lara to Triple-A Gwinnett, and reassigned RHP Austin Pope and INFs Jim Jarvis, Alex Lodise and Luke Waddell to minor league camp. Atlanta now has 54 active players in camp.”
While Pope has spent nearly all of his career in the Minor Leagues, he could be a good pickup by another MLB organization for pitching depth.
By signing another minor league deal, he would be a low-risk option.
Braves And D-Backs Right Now
The Braves are currently 25-10 in 35 games, which has them at the top of the National League East.
They are 13-4 in the 17 games they have played on the road away from Truist Park.
Following their series with the Mariners, the Braves will head to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers on Friday night.
GettyManager Walt Weiss #22 of the Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout prior to facing the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks are 16-17 in 33 games, which has them as the third-place team in the National League West.
After getting swept by the Cubs (in Chicago), they will head home to host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night in Arizona.
Atlanta Braves Release Former Diamondbacks Pitcher From Organization