According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to terms on a minor league deal with former Atlanta Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who, despite his well-documented injury history, is still just 28 years old.
Jurrjens underwent knee surgery again last fall, the latest in a string of treatments for a knee injury he sustained back in 2011 when he was still in Atlanta’s pitching ranks. That season, Jurrjens was dominant for the Braves, going 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 23 starts.
However, since that All-Star campaign, the right-hander has struggled on the mound – due largely to lingering injuries. He pitched one more season with the Braves, but pitched to the tune of a 6.89 earned run average in 11 appearances, 10 of which were starts. He surrendered 72 hits in just 48 1/3 innings that season, to the tune of 13.4 hits per nine – far above his career average of 8.8 hits per nine innings of work.
Jurrjens will likely join the Reds’ Triple-A pitching staff as he looks to regain the form from his days with Atlanta. Cincinnati has weathered the loss of Mat Latos well, largely due to the work of Alfredo Simon, who has been an unexpected bright spot in his absence.
He last pitched for the Baltimore Orioles last season, pitching a total of 7 1/3 innings. He struggled, though, allowing nine hits and four earned runs during that span.
In his big league career, Jurrjens is 53-37 with a 3.63 earned run average over seven seasons.