The Braves optioned reliever Pedro Beato to Triple-A Gwinnett Wednesday to make room on the roster for Ervin Santana, who made his Braves debut Wednesday night against the Mets.
The Reds had waived Beato at the end of spring training despite the fact that he had options remaining, which gave the Braves added flexibility after they claimed him off waivers last Thursday. They could send him to Gwinnett without having to put him through waivers and have him there for depth.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander got his first action in a game for the Braves on Monday night, pitching 1 2/3 innings against the Mets, allowing an RBI single to Ruben Tejada.
“It was nice for him to pitch up here and for us to watch him pitch,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “The way he carried himself was good. That’s a good inventory of pitchers to add into it. We talked to him that we felt strongly about him. We’ve only played seven games, and I’m sure he’ll be back up trying to help us before this season is over with.”
