The Braves added two more former closers, signing Jose Veras and Douglasville native Matt Capps to minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring training.
Veras, 34, received interest from a few other teams, and some were surprised he had to settle for a minor league contract. The 6-foot-6 Dominican right-hander could compete for a spot in a revamped Braves bullpen that has one or possibly two jobs available.
Veras’ overall 4.50 ERA in 46 appearances in 2014 was more than a half-run above his career mark, but the big right-hander had a 3.03 ERA in 34 appearances with the Astros after being released by the Cubs. After giving up 12 runs in 13 1/3 innings with the Cubs, he allowed only 11 earned runs in 32 1/3 innings with the Astros.
Veras had 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 46 innings for the season, and with the Astros he posted a 1.255 WHIP and totaled 37 strikeouts and 16 walks in 32 2/3 innings.
The nine-year veteran has done his best work in two stints with Houston during the past two seasons, having posted a 2.93 ERA and 19 saves with 44 strikeouts in 43 innings for the Astros in 2013 before a late-July trade to Detroit. Veras has a 3.91 career ERA and 27 saves in 440 appearances, with 438 strikeouts in 423 innings.
The Braves hope that Capps can get past his recent injuries, including recurring shoulder problems, and provide some depth after not pitching in the majors since 2012 due to injuries. Meanwhile, Veras, 34, is coming off a season that saw him post a 3.03 ERA in 34 appearances for the Astros after giving up 12 runs in 13 1/3 innings with the Cubs.
Capps, 31, has a 3.52 ERA and 138 saves in eight seasons and last pitched in the majors two seasons ago with Minnesota. After posting a 3.68 ERA and 14 saves in 30 appearances in 2012 with the Twins, shoulder injuries limited him to 10 minor league appearances (12 innings) over the past two seasons with the Indians.
The right-hander had 90 saves in a three-season span through 2010, including a career-best 42-save season in 2010 for Washington and Minnesota. Capps pitched in 161 games in his first two full major league seasons in 2006-2007 with Pittsburgh, and set career-highs with 85 appearances and 80 2/3 innings pitched as a rookie.
He’s worked out some this winter with several former and current Braves pitchers, doing pool workouts with Alex Wood, Kris Medlen, Peter Moylan, Jonny Venters and Jair Jurrjens.
Capps is the third former All-Star closer signed by the Braves this winter. Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson got major league contracts and are expected to serve in setup roles for current All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.
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