Braves Acquire LHP Jonny Venters From Tampa Bay

Raphael Haynes
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Atlanta – The Atlanta Braves today acquired LHP Jonny Venters from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for an international signing slot.

Venters, 33, went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA (6 ER/14.0 IP) in 22 games, one start, for Tampa Bay this season. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Pikeville, Ky., made his season debut for the Rays on April 25, marking his first big league action since 2012. Venters underwent three different elbow surgeries after appearing in 230 games with Atlanta over three seasons, 2010-2012. He had his first elbow surgery in 2006.

Venters went unscored upon in 20 of his 22 appearances for the Rays this season, limiting left-handed batters to four hits in 24 at-bats. He went 1.0 inning or more in nine of his 22 games.

Venters missed 24 games from June 25 to July 25 with a strained right hamstring. He returned yesterday and retired the only batter he faced to record his sixth hold of the season in a 3-2 win vs. New York (AL).

From 2010-2012, Venters struck out 258 batters in 243.2 innings for the Braves. He led the majors with 85 appearances in 2011, making his only All-Star team that season.

Originally a 30th-round draft choice by the Braves in 2003, Venters made his major league debut in 2010. For his career, he is 16-11 with a 2.33 ERA (63 ER/243.2 IP) in 252 games, one start. He is also unscored upon in 6.0 postseason innings over five games.

This deal marks the teams’ first since 2015, when the Rays sent International Bonus Pool Slot No. 73 and No. 103 to the Braves in exchange for minor leaguer pitcher Garret Fulenchek.

 

Raphael Haynes

Atlanta, GA

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