ATLANTA — Searching for any possible help for their bullpen woes, the Atlanta Braves promoted veteran right-hander David Aardsma after just one relief appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett.
“He signed with the right team,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Atlanta also just added veteran left-hander Dana Eveland on a minor league deal and he could be the next in line for a promotion from Gwinnett.
The Braves lost for the 13th time Monday after being ahead or tied in the seventh inning and had the worst bullpen ERA in the majors at 4.90.
Cody Martin, who took the loss in the series opener against San Diego by allowing two runs in the 11th inning, was optioned to Gwinnett to make room for Aardsma.
Gonzalez didn’t waste any time getting Aardsma into a game and the veteran responded by retiring the only batter in faced Tuesday against the Padres with a runner in scoring position.
Aardsma was signed by the Braves after opting out of his minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He converted 15 straight save opportunities for Triple-A Oklahoma City and had a 2.41 ERA in 20 games.
The 33-year-old pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts for Gwinnett on Sunday.
Aardsma had last pitched in the majors with the New York Mets in 2013. He came into this year with 298 career appearances and a 4.23 ERA.
The Braves bullpen has continuously imploded for more than two weeks, posting a 7.82 ERA over a 14-game stretch.
“You just have to keep running them out there,” Gonzalez said.
Aardsma is the 18th reliever already employed by the Braves this season. They used just 13 both last year and 2013.