Braves revive Rowdy Tellez just after Pirates escape awkward reunion

As they say, “justice delayed is justice denied,” and Rowdy Tellez just missed a chance to get back at a Pirates team that cost him $200,000 when he was released in 2024.

A mere three days after sweeping Pittsburgh, the Braves called up Tellez in the aftermath of the Ronald Acuña Jr. injury. Thus, the former Bucs first baseman will have to wait to exact revenge on the Pirates’ front office.

The Pirates’ decision to DFA Tellez came as a surprise to the burly infielder, despite his lackluster performance with the team. Tellez had 56 RBI, the second-best mark in his career, but his .691 OPS was his second-worst. He was also a liability on defense, posting a -4 fielding run value. While in Pittsburgh, he did have his share of highlights, including his 100th career home run.

Rowdy Tellez narrowly missed a chance to get back at the Pirates’ front office

Pirates fans probably weren’t too surprised by either Tellez’s release or the front office’s seeming callousness. After all, this is the same group that failed to re-sign a franchise icon for one final ride. This is the ownership and management that frequently get razzed with “sell the team” chants. As much as Pirates fans love the team, they don’t have the highest regard for the top brass. So, if Tellez had joined the Braves just a bit earlier, his return could have sparked some level of interest from Pirates fans even in the midst of a brutal stretch against Atlanta and LA.

It would be a bit hard to feel bad for a superstar, such as Juan Soto, missing out on less than a quarter of a million dollars, but Tellez is your average everyday ballplayer. His career earnings over six-plus years are under $15 million. Half a dozen of his current teammates on the Braves are making that much this year alone. In that light, a chance to bite back at the Bucs’ brass wouldn’t be so bad.

Alas, justice will have to wait. It seems unlikely that Tellez will stick around on the Braves’ 26-man roster until the next time they face the Pirates in early July. He just doesn’t seem to fit with one of the highest scoring offenses in baseball. So perhaps again justice will be denied, and the Pirates’ front office will be let off the hook.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow