Braves to pay Venafro $500,000

ATLANTA - Left-hander Mike Venafro and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract.<br> <br> The 29-year-old Venafro went 2-and-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 47 games with the Oakland Athletics last season.<br> <br> He allowed only ten of 44 inherited runners to score, the eighth fewest among American League relievers.<br> <br> Oakland failed to offer him a contract by December 20, allowing him to become a free agent.<br> <br> Venafro adds depth to the Braves&#39; bullpen, which was one of baseball&#39;s best last season. The Braves kept only two relievers from last season, closer John Smoltz and Kevin Gryboski. Their other relievers are Ray King -- acquired from Milwaukee -- and Darren Holmes.

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