ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves, whose starting pitching has been hit hard by injuries and the poor start of Greg Maddux, signed free-agent right-hander Shane Reynolds to a one-year contract Thursday. <br>
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The 35-year-old Reynolds had a back operation last summer after going 3-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 13 starts and 74 innings last season with the Houston Astros. He was 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA during spring training. <br>
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Reynolds has a 103-86 record with a 3.95 ERA in a ten-year career with Houston. He was released by the Astros on March 27 and is guaranteed one million dollars from his contract with them. <br>
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He is scheduled to join the Braves in Florida for Friday night's game against the Marlins. <br>
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Atlanta starters Mike Hampton and Paul Byrd are on the disabled list. Byrd is scheduled to have surgery on his right elbow tomorrow and will be out at least two months. <br>
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Maddux, who is 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in three starts, is off the worst start of his career. <br>
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The New York Mets offered Reynolds a minor league contract after watching him work out at a Houston high school Tuesday where he threw 110 pitches in a simulated game.
