Mar 7, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Eric O’Flaherty (34) throws during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at McKechnie Field. The Phillies won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves acquired left-handed reliever Eric O’Flaherty from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations on Sunday.
O’Flaherty, 31, was fighting for a spot in the Pirates’ bullpen this spring training after signing a minor league deal last month. He allowed eight runs (three earned) and 15 hits over 9 1/3 innings in 10 appearances this spring.
O’Flaherty, a 10-year veteran, pitched for the Braves from 2009-13.
O’Flaherty, who had Tommy John surgery in 2013, has a career 22-11 record with a 3.24 ERA over 369 1/3 innings in 435 appearances with the Seattle Mariners, Braves, Oakland Athletics and New York Mets.
“We’ve been trying to find a left-hander all spring,” Braves general manager John Coppolella said Sunday. “He’s somebody we know. When our scouts saw him and when our field staff saw him, we felt like he was somebody who could help us out. Obviously, we know this guy’s great off the field. He was great on it with us. We’re hoping he can fill a need a help us get better.”
