Atlanta Braves Bring Back Jonny Venters

Feb 27, 2013; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher

(39) against the Detroit Tigers during the a spring training game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves made their first move after the big move of stadiums was announced.  Relief pitcher Jonny Venters will continue to wear the red, white and blue of the Braves.  Venters avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.625 million contract.

In 2013, Venters made the same amount of money ($1.625 million) in his first year of salary arbitration.  But never saw the field as he was shut down in spring training.  He underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in May and is aiming to be fully recovered by June 2014.  This was his second Tommy John surgery to the same elbow.  Not many have made a successful comeback after TJ surgery and now Venters will try to pitch at the highest level after two.

Jonny broke onto the stage in 2010 at the age of 25-years-old with a 1.95 ERA 93 K’s and a WHIP of 1.205 in 79 game appearances.  Then in 2011, he backed those numbers up with 85 games 1.84 ERA 96 K’s a WHIP of 1.091 and a 6-2 record with five saves.  He made his first All Star game in 2011.

The left-hander owns a career 2.23 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 across three seasons.  Since he has an injury history, the reliever was a non-tender candidate, but Atlanta decided to bring him back in hopes that he can make a full recovery.

“I’m pumped to be sticking around,” Venters said via text message to Mark Bowman.