ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves on Sunday signed right-hander Joel Payamps to a one-year contract for 2026.
Payamps, 31, will earn $2.25 million next season. He pitched briefly for Atlanta last season and was outrighted by Atlanta on Nov. 6.
The right-hander is the latest of bullpen signings for Atlanta, an area which needed the most help entering the offseason. Thus far, the team has re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias and acquired left-hander Ryan Rolison from the Colorado Rockies.
Atlanta also tendered contracts to left-handed pitchers Joey Wentz and Jose Suarez on one-year contracts ahead of the Nov. 21 non-tender deadline. Left-hander Dylan Lee was also tendered a contract.
In 30 games (26.1 innings) with Milwaukee and Atlanta last season, Payamps recorded a career-worst 6.84 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. He was picked up by Atlanta in late September and allowed one run in 2.2 innings.
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But from 2021-24, Payamps was truly an effective pitcher with Toronto, Kansas City, Oakland and Milwaukee, tossing 235.2 innings and recording a 3.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 215 strikeouts.
He’ll figure to have a role in Atlanta’s bullpen in 2026 after Atlanta declined options on right-handers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley.