The Atlanta Braves congratulate LHP Jonny Venters for winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award. Venters returned from three different elbow surgeries to appear in a major league game for the first time since 2012 this season. He is the second Braves player to win the award; RHP Tim Hudson earned the honor in 2010. 
Venters, 33, appeared in 50 games, one start, this season for Tampa Bay and Atlanta, compiling a 3.67 ERA (14 ER/34.1 IP). He made his season debut for the Rays on April 25, marking his first big league action since 2012. Venters underwent three different elbow surgeries after appearing in 230 games with Atlanta over three seasons, 2010-2012. He had his first elbow surgery in 2006.
The Braves acquired him on July 26 from Tampa Bay in exchange for an international signing slot, and Venters went 4-1 with a 3.54 ERA (8 ER/20.1 IP) in 28 games out of the Braves' bullpen. 
Originally a 30th-round draft choice by the Braves in 2003, Venters made his major league debut in 2010. From 2010-2012, Venters struck out 258 batters in 243.2 innings for the Braves, while leading the majors with 85 appearances and making his only All-Star team in 2011. 
The Comeback Player of the Year Awards are officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and presented annually to one player in each league who re-emerged on the field during the season. The 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com, the official web site of Major League Baseball, selected the winners from an original list of 30 candidates (one per MLB club).