Rays righty returns to the team who drafted him…15 years ago!
The trades kept coming on Thursday as the incredible story of RHP Jonny Venters got even more incredible. Venters, 33, was traded back to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for an international signing slot. He went 1-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 22 appearances with the Rays this season. His story is only matched by another former Ray, Jason Isringhausen, in regards to being the only players to return to MLB after three Tommy John surgeries.
Venters signed with the Rays back in 2015 following his third surgery a year earlier. He was drafted by the Braves in the 30th round of the 2003 draft and played for Atlanta from 2010-2012 before undergoing his second surgery in 2013.
The Braves are currently 2.5 games back in second place to the Phillies in the NL East. They’re also a half game up on Arizona for the second wild card in the NL.
Kittredge called up
For the fourth time this season, RHP Andrew Kittredge has been called up, this time to replace Venters on the MLB roster. He’s pitched in 16 games this season going 1-2 with a 7.77 ERA through 22 innings.
