Braves non-tender three players
Infielder Ramiro Pena and pitcher Jonny Venters agree to terms on one-year deals
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves have declined to tender a 2014 contract offer to three players, including infielders Paul Janish and Elliot Johnson and right-handed pitcher Cristhian Martinez. All three are now free to negotiate with any Major League team.
The Braves have nine remaining arbitration-eligible players on their 40-man roster who are unsigned for the upcoming season - right-handed pitchers Brandon Beachy, Craig Kimbrel, Kris Medlen and Jordan Walden, left-handed pitcher Mike Minor, first baseman Freddie Freeman, infielder Chris Johnson and outfielders Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer.
In addition, the Braves have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Ramiro Pena and left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters for the 2014 season.
Pena played in 50 games for Atlanta in an injury-shortened 2013 campaign in which he batted .278. He underwent season-ending surgery on June 27 (by Dr. James Andrews) to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Venters underwent "Tommy John" surgery on May 16 (also by Dr. Andrews), and missed the entire 2013 season. In 230 career games for Atlanta, Venters owns a 2.23 ERA, with 258 strikeouts and a .212 opponents' batting average in 229.2 innings pitched.