The Atlanta Braves have managed to get the name of eight year veteran Matt Capps circulating around major league baseball once again. The closer hasn’t seen big league play since 2012, his third and final year with the Minnesota Twins. The 2010 All-Star has since been struggling with shoulder issues at the minor league level. The veteran spent his time in the Indians organization, seeing Triple-A in 2013 and an Arizona League affiliate in 2014. He spent more time on the disabled list than actually playing, and combined both seasons for 12 pitched innings.
Capps was a 7th round pick in the 2002 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent four years with the team after his debut in 2005 and went to the Nationals upon entering free agency in 2009. The Nats then sent him to Minnesota in exchange for Joe Testa and Wilson Ramos.
The closer has a career 29-33 record, 3.52 ERA and 138 saves. The 31-year-old has worked out some this winter with several Braves bullpen veterans. Pool workouts with the likes of Alex Wood, Kris Medlen, Peter Moylan, Jonny Venters and Jair Jurrjens doesn’t sound like a terrible way to spend the off-season.
Capps’ signing includes an invitation to Spring Training. He’s the third accomplished closer the Braves have signed this winter. Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson both got major league deals and are expected to serve in the set up role for closer Craig Kimbrel.
Leave a Reply