Just because spring camp closes down this week doesn’t mean the Braves are winnowing down their bullpen options. They appear, in fact, doing the opposite.
The team signed right-handed reliever David Hernandez to a non-roster contract Sunday after San Francisco released him two days ago. Hernandez, 31, was 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 70 games for Philadelphia last year. He is expected in camp Monday morning.
Another pitcher that manager Brian Snitker has his eye on is left-hander Kevin Chapman, who was claimed off waivers from Houston on March 13.
A former standout at the University of Florida, the 29-year-old Chapman has appeared in three games for the Braves, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing one run and one hit.
“What have I seen him, twice? Three times? I like his arm. He’s been fine. He’s got to pitch. I didn’t realize he has the velocity he does. He’s (another reliever) that factors into that mix,” Snitker said.
Pitching on consecutive days Sunday, Chapman pitched a scoreless sixth inning against the Mets. He allowed one walk.
Chapman pitched 55 innings for the Astros from 2013-16, compiling a 3-1 record and a 4.09 ERA. He was a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in the 2010 draft.
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