The Atlanta Braves have agreed to sign left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler Friday afternoon, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Mark Bowman of MLB.com later reported that it is a Major League contract.
This is the second reliever the Braves have signed this week in the wake of the season-ending Achilles injury to closer Jason Grilli. Atlanta signed veteran right-hander Jason Frasor a few days ago. With Braves reliever Jim Johnson on the trade block, the Braves are finding cheep bullpen options to fill the void in the event he gets traded in the next two weeks.
Detwiler, 29, was released by the Texas Rangers as he struggled mightily adjusting to the American League. The Rangers acquired him via trade in the winter from the Washington Nationals.
In 2015, the left-hander has a 0-5 record with an astronomical ERA of 7.12. In 17 games (seven starts), Detwiler pitched 43 innings allowing 37 runs and striking out only 28 batters. Despite his struggles, Detwiler has done well against left-handed hitters holding them to a slash line of .220/.283/.317. For his career he’s held left-handers to a slash line of .232/.305/.301.
The Nationals drafted Detwiler back in 2007 with the sixth overall pick in hopes of being a front of the rotation starter. Even though that never came to fruition, the left-hander was a reliable back end starter for Washington back in 2012 where he went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA.
Atlanta is hoping a return to the NL East with pitching coach Roger McDowell will help him return to form. The Braves might not use him in the rotation but he could become a very good reliever against left-handed batters. During his time in Washington, Detwiler pitched very well against Atlanta as he has a career record of 2-2 with a 3.06 ERA. In 11 games (four starts) as Turner Field the left-hander is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA.
The Braves bullpen has the second-worst ERA in the majors at 4.40, and through 89 games manager Fredi Gonzalez has used 24 different relievers.
Ross Detwiler avoided arbitration last winter and is earning $3.45 million this season. The Rangers will be on the hook for the rest of Detwiler’s contract.