Braves bring back Venters
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have acquired a familiar name to bolster their bullpen.
Shortly after an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Braves announced a trade for Tampa Bay left-hander Jonny Venters in exchange for $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.
Venters, 33, came up with the Braves and was a key member of the bullpen from three seasons, making the All-Star Game in 2011. But persistent elbow problems stifled his career; he had not pitched in the big leagues until he was called up by the Rays this season.
“Obviously, everyone in Atlanta knows him very well,” Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “But his velocity is good. Sink is still outstanding. That’s reflected in the ground-ball rates. The numbers against lefthanders are real strong.”
Venters is the third pitcher dealt in the last two days by the Rays, who are far back in the AL East and 81/2 games out of a wildcard berth.
The Braves, on the other hand, led the NL East much of the season but are now 21/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies after dropping 11 of 16 games.
Anthopoulos was eager to add to a bullpen that is missing closer Arodys Vizcaino. The hard-throwing right-hander is on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and at least two weeks away from throwing again.