Sep 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Braves have added to the surplus of arms announcing Thursday that they have signed Kyle Kendrick and Alex Torres to minor league deals with non-roster invitations to spring training.
Kendrick, 31, is coming off a season with the Rockies in which he allowed a league-high 33 home runs and topped the National League with 100 earned runs.
That 7-13 year with a 6.32 ERA in 142 1/3 innings was a considerable jump from the right-hander's eight years in Philadelphia when he had an ERA of 4.42 and threw over 180 innings three times, including 199 in 2014.
Primarily a starter, he has come out of the bullpen 41 times in his career, the last such appearance coming in 2012.
He will be part of a deep race for the rotation, that outside of likely Opening Day starter Julio Teheran, includes Bud Norris, Matt Wisler, Williams Perez, Mike Foltynewicz, Ryan Weber, Manny Banuelos and Tyrell Jenkins.
Torres, 28, brings a lefty to the mix after spending last year with the Mets, when he had a 3.15 ERA over 34 1/3 innings over 39 appearances.
But he is best known for the oversized padded cap he wears, something he's done since he saw former Rays teammates Alex Cobb take a liner to the face in 2013.
In four seasons with Tampa Bay, the Padres and Mets, Torres has a 2.68 ERA in 154 1/3 innings.
The Braves have a number of options as far as lefties out the bullpen, with Andrew McKirahan, Matt Marksberry, Rule 5 pickup Evan Rutckyj, Ian Krol, and, potentially, Banuelos second-rated prospect Sean Newcomb.
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