Stephens has made 47 relief appearances for the Braves over the last three seasons and returns to the fold as extra bullpen depth at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 30-year-old righty holds a serviceable 4.15 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 114/53 K/BB ratio across 132 1/3 innings (83 appearances) in the big leagues since 2017.

As expected, Stephens is back in the fold with Atlanta as extra relief depth. The 30-year-old righty made just three appearances earlier this season for the Braves before being designated for assignment earlier this month.

The 30-year-old right-hander refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett from the Braves and will instead peddle his wares on the open market. Stephens posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and a 2/1 K/BB ratio over 3 1/3 innings in three appearances at the big league level this season.

Stephens draws the short straw in Atlanta’s bullpen with Pierce Johnson returning from the injured list ahead of Saturday’s game against the Padres. The 30-year-old righty made three appearances for the Braves after being called up earlier this month from Triple-A Gwinnett.