Braves add Lee Hyde, four other pitchers to roster

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Georgia Tech left-hander Lee Hyde and four other minor-league pitchers were added to the Braves' 40-man roster Friday, protecting them from being poached by other teams in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Also added were right-handers Kyle Cofield and Jeff Lyman and lefties Jose Ortegano and Jonny Venters, leaving the Braves with two roster openings.

Hyde, 23, is a Fayetteville native and a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. After missing most of two seasons after elbow surgery and shoulder problems, he posted a 2.27 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 15 walks in 35-2/3 innings for three minor-league affiliates in 2009.

Cofield, 22, went 10-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 26 games (24 starts) at Class AA Mississippi. Lyman, 22, was 5-9 with a 3.32 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 97-2/3 innings while spending most of the season at Mississippi.

Ortegano, 22, was 9-7 with a 3.22 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 117-1/3 innings while starting and relieving at Class A Myrtle Beach and Missisippi.

Venters, 24, went 8-11 with a 4.42 ERA in 29 starts in Class AA and AAA.