Braves sign reliever Hernandez; Chapman impresses

Atlanta Braves’ Kevin Chapman pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Atlanta Braves’ Kevin Chapman pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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.