Remlinger agrees to minor league deal with Braves


ATLANTA (AP) - Reliever Mike Remlinger is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing Monday to a minor league contract that would pay him $700,000 if he's added to the major league roster.

Remlinger, who will be 40 by opening day, pitched four years with the Braves and made the All-Star team in 2002. He left after that season for a three-year, $10.65 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, but never had as much success as he did in Atlanta.

With the Braves, the left-hander went 10-1 in 1999 - his only season with double-figure wins. He was 7-3 with a career-best ERA of 1.99 during his All-Star year.

Remlinger was traded by Chicago to the Boston Red Sox last August. He was designated for assignment less than three weeks later after posting a 14.85 ERA in eight appearances, giving up 15 hits in 6 2-3 innings. For the season, he was 0-3 with a 6.58 ERA in 43 games.

The Braves are desperate to improve a bullpen that was a major liability last season. With spring training less than a month away, they have yet to land a closer and may have to go with holdover Chris Reitsma, who held the job part of last season.

Remlinger isn't a candidate to fill that role, but he could provide a much-needed left-hander in the bullpen. For now, the team's main candidates are John Foster (62 appearances, 4-2, 4.15 ERA) and Macay McBride (1-0, 5.79, in 14 innings).



Don't think he has much left, but it was only a minor league deal, so it won't hurt *idunno*

Mike Remlinger. The savior.

I think he's pretty much done. You should have seen him when he ppitched for the Red Sox last year. 14.85 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP. However, it was a sudden dropoff as he normally was pretty consistent. Still, I think he's done.

lol, He could actually find a job after last year.

Enjoy him. *beer*

I think you angry Sox fans are forgetting his best years were in Atlanta :D . I'm not saying he'll be an all-star again, just that I think he'll turn it around some this year. I'd rather have him in the pen than Macay McBride. Yound McBride wasn't too impressive.

Why would we be angry, I'm just glad he's not coming back to Boston.

I could really care less about him... As BoSox said, I'm just glad he isn't coming back to Boston.

Yes his best years were in Atlanta but I don't think thats gonna change the fact that he seemed to be done last year.

I was just kidding with you Sox fans. I know that Mike was down right horrible with y'all. Think of my comments more as wishful thinking for this season. ;)

Ok.

I wonder if he will make the team out of ST.