Braves agree to terms with Emilio Bonifacio

The Atlanta Braves and infielder Emilio Bonifacio have agreed to terms on a Major League contract for the 2016 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
 
Bonifacio, 30, has appeared in 769 games over a nine-year Major League career, compiling a .259 (656-for-2,534) batting average with 347 runs, 139 extra-base hits, 159 RBI and 165 stolen bases. Since his first full season in 2009, he ranks third in the majors with 52 bunt hits, while his 128 infield hits are tied for fifth-most in the National League. Defensively, he has logged over 1,000 innings at second base, third base and in the outfield, while also seeing time at shortstop.

The 2015 season saw Bonifacio appear in 47 games with the Chicago White Sox from April 9 to August 15, batting .167 (13-for-78) before being designated for assignment on August 16. The veteran has previously made appearances with Arizona (2007-08), Washington (2008), Florida (2009-12), Toronto (2013), Kansas City (2013), the Chicago Cubs (2014) and Atlanta (2014) before joining the White Sox last season.

Bonifacio returns to the Braves for his second stint after joining the club in a mid-season trade during the 2014 campaign. He batted .212 (25-for-118) with 12 stolen bases in 41 games for Atlanta down the stretch, including connecting on the second leadoff home run of his career on September 28 at Philadelphia, the final game of that season.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated right-handed pitcher Brandon Cunniff for assignment.