Braves Sign Pitcher Chris Rusin to Minor League Deal
By Sean Facey
The Atlanta Braves are continuing their quest to revamp the bullpen for next season.
With some intriguing relievers already in tow, the 2019 NL East champions have now signed southpaw Chris Rusin to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to Spring Training.
Free-agent left-hander Chris Rusin agrees to minor-league deal with #Braves with invitation to major-league spring training, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 18, 2020
Rusin, an eight-year MLB veteran, is coming off of a brutal season in which he suffered a back injury and was designated for assignment. He gave up four runs and five hits in just one inning of work, good for a gaudy 36.00 ERA.
The Braves are no doubt hoping they can try and squeeze out the type of performance that made him one of the better relievers in baseball just a few short years ago.
LHP Chris Rusin has agreed to a Minor League contract with the Braves with an invitation to Spring Training.
— FChop ⚾️? (@ForeverChop) January 18, 2020
Rusin has major league experience with the Cubs (2012-2014) and Rockies (2015-2019) #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/jDCDBxQOKL
In 2016 and 2017, Rusin managed a 3.19 ERA and 3.42 FIP, both of which are solid marks made more impressive by the fact that he was playing for the Colorado Rockies.
It's a sneaky move that could end up giving the Braves a strong relief option out of the bullpen down the stretch next year.