Atlanta Braves Sign Right-Handed Relief Pitcher Dale Thayer
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Sign RH Dale Thayer To Bolster Bullpen
The Atlanta Braves signed right-handed pitcher Dale Thayer to a minor league contract. The 35-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers during this past offseason, but opted out of that deal earlier this month.
In 2016 with the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers Double-A affiliate), he posted a 6.75 ERA in the seven games he appeared in. In eight innings pitched this year, he’s given up 16 hits, 10 runs (only six were earned), two walks and 10 strikeouts.
In Thayer’s career he’s had continual success against hitters on both sides of the plate limiting right-handed batters to a .666 OPS and left-handed bats to a .720 OPS.
If you’re not sure who this Dale Thayer guy is, you possibly remember his “throwing gum” incident last season or his many different facial hair looks.
Last summer, while pitching with the San Diego Padres, Giants catcher Hector Sanchez hits a homer off of him and after the ball sailed over the fence, Thayer threw his gum at Sanchez. Later in the game, the benches cleared when Sanchez ran his mouth.
It seems fitting that the Braves signed him on the day that they start a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
Just a quick google search, take a look at all of Thayer’s different looks. This guy can grow some facial hair!
Can Thayer Help In Atlanta?
The Braves bullpen hasn’t been anything to write home about. The pen have a combined 4.51 ERA this season heading into Monday’s game, which is the fifth-worst in the majors.
Currently here’s who the Braves have in Atlanta
The Braves have Jim Johnson on the disabled list with a groin strain, but has pitched in two games (May 26 and May 28th) for the Gwinnett Braves and threw an inning in each game and gave up a hit in each. He had two k’s in his first game back and one strikeout in his second game. He could return to Atlanta shortly.
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Also on his way back, Shae Simmons has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Though Atlanta has a few names that would be ahead of Thayer to join the Braves, he will join this list.
I don’t think this signing with be anything we should get too excited about, but I do think Thayer will be in Atlanta at some point during the 2016 season.