Braves sign Moylan, avoid arbitration

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves reliever Peter Moylan agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract Tuesday, leaving the team with no arbitration-eligible players left unsigned on its 40-man roster.

Moylan went 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA and no home runs allowed in a franchise-record 87 appearances, the second-most appearances in the majors in 2009. He did that one year after having ligament-transplant elbow surgery.

After allowing five runs without recording an out in his first two games, the right-hander posted a 2.22 ERA in his remaining 85 appearances.

He had a 4.62 ERA and .272 opponents' average in 49 games before the All-Star break, then a 1.00 ERA and .217 opponents' average in 38 games after the break. He recorded 33 strikeouts in 36 innings after the break as he continued to regain arm strength.

Moylan, who turned 31 last month, was in his first year of arbitration eligibility after making $410,000 in 2009 -- just $10,000 over the major league minimum.

He set a major league record for most appearances in a season without allowing a home run, and Moylan last surrendered one on March 30, 2008, shortly before he went on the disabled list with a torn elbow ligament.

He's the first Braves pitcher to make 80 or more appearances twice, having pitched in 80 games in 2007 as a 28-year-old rookie. Moylan had a 1.80 ERA in 90 innings that season.

Also Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed former Braves outfield prospect Brandon Jones off waivers from the Braves. He was designated for assignment by the Braves last week to clear a roster spot when they signed versatile veteran Eric Hinske.