 12/22/2003 3:15 PM ET
Almanza agrees to one-year deal
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| Armando Almanza's fastball has been clocked in the mid 90s, but he was on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis late last season. (Gregory Smith/AP)
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ATLANTA -- Inch by inch, the Braves are getting closer to completing their roster for the 2004 season.
The perennial division champions filled their need for a veteran left-handed reliever by coming to terms on a one-year deal with Armando Almanza on Monday. The southpaw became a free agent after he was not tendered a contract by the Marlins this weekend.
Almanza, whose fastball has been clocked in the mid 90s, fell out of favor with Marlins manager Jack McKeon this past summer and his season ended in late August when he was placed on the 60-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left shoulder.
The Braves, who are confident that the 31-year-old's shoulder has returned to health, now have Almanza, Antonio Alfonseca, Kevin Gryboski, Jaret Wright and Will Cunnane as Braves closer John Smoltz's primary setup men.
Almanza, who posted a 6.08 ERA in 51 appearances for the World Series champions last year, is currently the only left-handed pitcher on the Braves roster with a wealth of experience as a reliever. Jung Bong showed flashes of promise early last year, but the young southpaw's future seems to be as a starter.
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