The Atlanta Braves today agreed to terms with free-agent utilityman Kelly Johnson on a one-year Major League contract for the 2016 season.
Johnson, 33, returns to Atlanta after splitting last season between the Braves and the New York Mets. The 6-1, 195-pound native of Austin, Texas, was sent to New York, along with infielder Juan Uribe and cash considerations, on July 24 in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers John Gant and Rob Whalen. Johnson hit .265 (82-for-310) with 14 home runs and 47 RBI in 111 combined games last season, including .275 (50-for-182) for Atlanta. He appeared in all three rounds of the Mets' postseason run to the World Series, collecting one hit in seven at-bats over nine appearances.
Johnson made starts at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field and as the designated hitter in 2015, joining Brock Holt as the only two Major Leaguers to play at least one game at each of those spots last season.
Originally drafted 38th overall by the Braves in 2000, Johnson made his MLB debut in 2005 with the club and has compiled a .251 (1,065-for-4,239) lifetime average in 1,268 games with Atlanta (2005-09, 2015), Arizona (2010-11), Toronto (2011-12), Tampa Bay (2013), the New York Yankees (2014), Boston (2014), Baltimore (2014) and the Mets (2015). He has appeared in the last three postseasons as well as the 2005 playoffs, when the Braves won the NL East.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves placed outfielder Joey Terdoslavich on waivers, where he was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles.