Bautista signs with Braves
ATLANTA — Even with their Ryan Flaherty leading the NL in hitting, the Atlanta Braves couldn’t resist the low-risk opportunity to add Jose Bautista.
The six-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves on Wednesday after impressing team officials at a workout, and he will try to earn playing time at third base.
Bautista, 37, would receive a $1 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man major league roster. He will report to the Braves extended spring training complex in Kissimmee, Florida, to work himself into game condition while playing third base.
Flaherty took a NL-leading .354 batting average into Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but his career average is .221.