<p>C.J. Nitkowski is the latest pitcher hoping to revive his career in Atlanta.</p><p>The 30-year-old left-hander signed a minor league deal with the Braves, but could land a spot in the bullpen if spring training goes well.</p><p>I have good enough stuff, Nitkowski said. I get this all the time, especially the last couple years of my career, because Ive gone up and down. People ask me, How come you havent had a better career? Thats what I get. A lot.</p><p>Nitkowski is encouraged by the Braves track record of turning pitchers around _ a list that includes John Burkett, Chris Hammond, Shane Reynolds, Will Cunnane and Jaret Wright. All had been cut, waived or retired before having success in the Atlanta system.</p><p>The Braves need a left-hander in the bullpen after trading Ray King and failing to re-sign Kent Mercker during the offseason.</p><p>Nitkowski hopes to fill the void.</p><p>On paper, it looks good for me, he said. On paper, it always looks good, but Ive still got to get it done. Ive had opportunities where it was a lay-up for me and it just didnt happen.</p><p>Nitkowski has plenty of big-league experience, pitching in 288 games over parts of eight seasons with Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, the New York Mets and Texas. But hes never made much of an impact, going 16-31 with a 5.33 ERA.</p><p>Last season, he spent most of the season with Texas Triple-A team in Oklahoma City, where he was 5-4 with a 4.09 ERA. He had a brief stint with the Rangers, putting up a 7.45 ERA in six games.</p><p>Its amazing to me the way my career has gone the last two years, Nitkowski said. Ive been pitching all right, but not really doing well in the big leagues. Spending most of my time in the minor leagues after spending almost five years in the big leagues, I keep going back and wondering how many more opportunities Im going to get.</p><p>Nitkowski showed up at Turner Field before spring training to take part in Camp Leo _ the winter camp run by pitching coach Leo Mazzone. That gave the left-hander a chance to make an early impression and work on some things that might translate into big league success.</p><p>If you come into camp and dont have a real shot at making the team, or a very slim one, youre not going to get a lot of one-on-one time, Nitkowski said. And thats irreplaceable, especially when you have such a great pitching organization and such great coaches.</p><p>After signing with the Braves in January, he also worked with minor league instructor Guy Hansen.</p><p>He said to me, C.J., if I had your stuff, Id have about eight years in the big leagues right now with about 150 wins, Nitkowski said. I was in the big leagues early (at age 22), struggled early, got beat up early on when I was younger, so that kind of set me back.</p><p>As with most pitchers who are struggling to stay in the majors, Nitkowskis major drawback is a lack of consistency, especially with the fastball. Thats a major tenet of Mazzones pitching philosophy.</p><p>If I can command my fastball, Im confident that Ill do well, Nitkowski said. If my fastball starts getting away from me, thats when I start having problems, getting behind in the count. My walks have always been whats hindered me and kept me from reaching my full potential.</p><p>Hansen made a few minor adjustments, with encouraging results. Mazzone has prodded Nitkowski to start throwing his two-seam fastball and change-up on the inside of the plate to right-handed hitters.</p><p>Ive been playing for 10 years, Nitkowski said. I hate to think its taken me this long to get it. But some of the things theyre saying have really clicked with me.</p>
