The Atlanta Braves have added more competition for relievers by signing Jose Veras and Matt Capps to Minor League contracts and inviting them to Spring Training.
A little more than 13 months after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract to serve as the Cubs' closer, Jose Veras will come to Braves Spring Training with nothing but the guarantee to be given a shot to prove he is still capable of being a valuable Major League reliever.
The 34-year-old right-hander will be one of the 33 pitchers (11 non-roster invitees) Atlanta will bring to Spring Training.
Veras' deal was revealed a few hours after it was learned that former All-Star closer Matt Capps had also agreed to come to Braves camp with a non-guaranteed contract. But while Capps seems to be a long shot to gain a roster spot, Veras could certainly begin the season in Atlanta's bullpen.
After accepting the lucrative deal with the Cubs, Veras posted an 8.10 ERA over 12 appearances, and he was released. The Astros signed the veteran reliever five days later, and they watched him produce a 3.03 ERA while limiting opponents to a .203 batting average over 34 appearances.
The Braves pursued Veras per the advice of third-base coach Bo Porter and director of player development Dave Trembley. When Veras arrived in Houston last year, Porter was his manager and Trembley served as the Astros' bench coach.
If Veras picks up where he left off last year, he could begin the season teaming with Jason Grilli, Shae Simmons and Jim Johnson as the primary setup men for closer Craig Kimbrel. Veras' presence also provides some insurance in the event that Simmons has not yet completely overcome the shoulder issues that sidelined him for the final two months of the 2014 season.
Matt Capps will have a chance to resuscitate his career courtesy of the Spring Training invite the Braves have extended.
Capps totaled 119 saves while pitching for the Pirates, Nationals and Twins from 2008-12. But the 31-year-old right-hander has never fully recovered since right shoulder inflammation limited him to just three appearances after the All-Star break in 2012.
Capps made a total of 10 Minor League outings in the Indians' organization the past two seasons. The former All-Star closer was shut down during the first week of Spring Training last year, and he ended up making just four regular-season appearances, all with Cleveland's Rookie League team in Arizona in August.
--- Source: MLB.com