Atlanta Braves Sign the Oft-Injured Ben Sheets

Earlier this year, Ben Sheetsmade it known he was intending to come back.  He worked out for a few teams

and indicated he was feeling back to 100%.  He had told reporters and scouts that he would not attempt a come back unless he could perform at 100%.

After throwing for a few different teams in recent weeks, Sheets was signed to a minor league contract by the Atlanta Braves.  He will report to Double-A Mississippi.

Sheet is 90-92 in his career with a 3.79 ERA.  He last pitched in 2010 when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.  Sheets suffered a similar injury in 2008 and missed the entire 2009 season.  His injury history had the majority of teams concerned, and it was previously reported that only four teams sent scouts to watch Sheets throw.

According to the Associated Press, Sheets passed his physical with the Braves and will throw five innings or 75 pitches for Mississippi on Wednesday.  Prior to heading to his assignment, Sheets was feeling good.

"“I ain’t telling you I’m throwing 100 (mph), but I’m just saying the ball’s coming out of my hand really good,” Sheets said. “Breaking ball’s spinning. Eddie even told me my cutter-slider looked good. I know he’s lying.”"

The Braves recently lost their ace Brandon Beachy to season-ending Tommy John surgery.  Beachy had a 2.00 ERA at the time.  The Braves hope Sheets can provide at least some help in the rotation, but they will wait and see how he performs in Double-A before considerings a call-up.

It was a good move for the Braves who find themselves 4.5 games back of the Nationals and in third place in the NL East.  They just missed the postseason last year and feel they have a team that can make it this season. Sheets could provided innings and perform well-enough to keep the Braves afloat.

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