Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett has opted out of his minor league contract with the Braves, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The 33-year-old is now a free agent, joining fellow southpaw Neal Cotts as an experienced southpaw available to clubs in need of some left-handed help in the bullpen.
Burnett began the season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate and struggled a bit, walking six batters and striking out five in 7 2/3 innings, though he was more solid in six appearances with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate, firing 5 1/3 shutout innings with five strikeouts and a walk. Overall, he’s sporting a 1.38 ERA and, more importantly, has been healthy enough to take the ball consistently this season. Burnett battled elbow problems in 2013 and 2014, ultimately undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014 and missing the entirety of the 2015 season recovering from that procedure. Prior to those injury struggles, Burnett was a very solid bullpen option with the Nationals and Pirates, posting a 2.85 ERA in 234 innings of relief from 2009-12. He’s also held lefties to a .228/.293/.336 batting line in 315 opportunities over the course of his career.
They need more pitching is what it is
Didn’t he play for them before
The Pirates could use him !
The Braves could have brought him up, solely to show he is healthy, and then trade him at the deadline for a lower tier prospect…
From seeing him at Gwinnett, all signs looked like he was healthy and very well could be a solid LH out of the pen for someone for the remainder of the season.
Meh. LOOGYs don’t fetch much in trade value. The Braves should be playing the kids, not recycled veterans.
I agree they should use this season to see what they got in Krol and hopefully ManBan when or if he would ever get healthy Hunter looks like a great pick up thus far.
Lord knows we could use a good lefty in the pen.
Damn that number 5 ceiling SP Wisler has looked damn good tonight.
Damn Markakis goes deep quick pick up the phone and trade him while he is in his power surge