Braves sign Darren O’Day to a new contract

Darren O'Day was born Oct. 22, 1982 in Jacksonville, Fla. O'Day's nickname is "Odachowski." O'Day contemplated attending medical school, but he chose to pursue a career in baseball. O'Day is known for a sidearm delivery, which saved his career while in college. O'Day made his major league debut March 31, 2008, playing for the Los Angeles Angels. O'Day played for four teams in his first five seasons: the Angels, Mets, Rangers and Orioles. The Braves acquired O'Day, with Kevin Gausman, on July 31, 2018 for

The Braves announced Friday that Darren O’Day signed a contract with the team for next season.

The deal is a one-year contract worth $2.25 million, the team announced. The deal includes a club option for 2021 worth $3.5 million.

O’Day, 37, is the first free agent to sign with the Braves this offseason, though Monday the Braves declined options on Tyler Flowers and Nick Markakis, but that was part of the process to reach new deals with them.

O’Day, who became a free agent the day after the end of this year’s World Series, made eight appearances for the Braves in the 2019 season, pitching 5-1/3 innings. He gave up three hits and one run while striking out six and finished with a 1.69 ERA.

The Braves acquired him in a trade July 31, 2018, along with Kevin Gausman, for four minor leaguers: catcher Brett Cumberland, pitchers Evan Phillips and Bruce Zimmermann and infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion.

Eleven other Braves players from last season became free agents: pitchers Jerry Blevins, Dallas Keuchel, Chris Martin, Anthony Swarzak, Julio Teheran and Josh Tomlin; catcher Francisco Cervelli; infielders Josh Donaldson and Adeiny Hechavarria and outfielders Billy Hamilton and Matt Joyce.