Slugger Bautista, Braves agree to minor league deal

ATLANTA » Even with their Ryan Flaherty leading the NL in hitting, the Atlanta Braves couldn’t resist the low-risk opportunity to add Jose Bautista.

The six-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves on Wednesday after impressing team officials at a workout, and he will try to earn playing time at third base.

Bautista, 37, would receive a $1 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He will report to the Braves extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Florida, to work himself into game condition while playing third base.

“He’s a good player who if and when he gets here can lengthen our lineup,” Braves manager Brian Snitker saud. “He’s somebody the opposition has got to be aware of because he’s that kind of player.”

The team added another option at third base on Wednesday when Johan Camargo was activated from the disabled list. Camargo was expected to be the starter before suffering a right oblique injury.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said he had talks with Bautista in the offseason. He said those talks never gained momentum.

“I just think where we were going to be financially just wasn’t going to make sense for him at the time,” Anthopoulos said.

Even so, Anthopoulos remained interested and said Bautista liked what he had seen of the Braves this season. Anthopoulos said Bautista turned down more money from another team to sign with the Braves. Bautista has not seen much time at third base since 2011.

Braves’ Sanchez placed on DL

ATLANTA » Braves right-hander Anibal Sanchez was placed on the 10-day disabled list after straining his right hamstring while running in the outfield before Atlanta’s game against Philadelphia Phillies.

After receiving attention trainers for several minutes, driven off the field on a cart.

Sanchez was scheduled to start Thursday in the opener of a series against the Mets. Sanchez is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. from Braves Sanchez was