The Pirates announced Thursday that they placed catcher Francisco Cervelli on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Braves want to sign him.

General manager Neal Huntington said the move was to give Cervelli “a chance at more playing time, as well as an opportunity this season to compete in the postseason.”

Post-Gazette beat writer Jason Mackey tweeted Thursday that he was told Cervelli has his eyes on a deal with the Braves, but Mackey said he hadn’t confirmed if he would sign a major-league or minor-league contract.

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, who threw 8 shutout innings against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

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Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

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