Fan Favorite Braves Reliever Jonny Venters Heads to Nationals for Another Chance
By Jerry Trotta
Desperate teams go to desperate measures and thats exactly where the Washington Nationals currently stand with their ailing, disastrous bullpen.
As a result, the Nats have signed 2018 National Comeback Player of the Year, reliever Jonny Venters, to a minor league deal. The 34-year-old left-hander will report to Double-A Harrisburg.
Nationals Sign Jonny Venters https://t.co/K4lLMtDDdI pic.twitter.com/ebDucBpA6f
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 29, 2019
Venters returned from three Tommy John surgeries and a five-year baseball hiatus in 2018 to a 3.67 ERA in 34.1 innings of work for the Braves. 2019, on the other hand, has been an entirely different story for Jonny and Atlanta was forced to release him.
In nine appearances this season, the veteran has surrendered 13 runs, which equates to an astronomically high 17.36 ERA. Additionally, he's allowed more hits (nine) and walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven).
Like we said, Washington is as desperate as desperate can get as their bullpen currently holds a 7.23 ERA -- last in all of baseball by a considerable margin. The next highest tally belongs to the Orioles, who own a 5.98 clip.
The Nationals have signed veteran lefty reliever Jonny Venters and assigned him to Double-A Harrisburg. Venters, 34, struggled in 9 appearances for the Braves earlier this year before getting released 2 weeks ago.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) May 29, 2019
Perhaps the Nationals will utilize him as just a lefty-specialist as Jonny held lefties to a microscopic slash line of .133/.200/.200 with just two extra base hits in 60 at bats last season.
Whatever the case, the fact that Venters is still kicking in the league is nothing short of a miracle. Hopefully a fresh start in the Nation's capital is enough to turn his 2019 misfortunes around.