MLB: Bautista signs Minor League contract with Braves

Jose Bautista has signed a Minor League contract with the Atlanta Braves. The former Toronto Blue Jays player is to be used as a third baseman, having only been active in the outfield for the last few years.

Should Bautista make it into the 40-player squad of the Braves, he would receive a one-year contract worth one million dollars.

Initially, the 37-year-old will work at Extended Spring Training at the Braves complex in Lake Buena Vista/Florida to get back into shape. He was one of a large number of free agents who were still without a contract.

Bautista has played third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the past and in his early years in Toronto. But since 2012 he has only played six games at the Hot Corner.

His great strength was the offensive anyway. Bautista has hit at least 22 home runs in the past eight years and 54 in 2010.

Ryan Flaherty is currently playing third base for the Braves, beating .354 in 14 games. However, his career average is only a meager .221.

This article was published without previous view by the Major League Baseball.