http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/ben_sheets/827 Recent articles about Ben Sheets en-us It was the end of his career. Ben Sheets made one last appearance with the Atlanta Braves before his planned retirement. Sheets, a four time All-Star, had joined the Braves midway though the season after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery. In his final outing Sheets recorded two strike outs. While Sheets initially hoped he would be able to return to the Braves in a reliever role he never regained the arm strength and has decided to retire. “I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt I’m not playing again,” Sheets said. “No matter what, there is not enough help or money to pull me out of this one.” Sheets finishes his career 94-96 with a 3.78 ERA and 1,325 strikeouts in 1596 2/3 innings. He had his best season in 2004, when he finished with a 2.70 ERA and a 264/32 K/BB ratio in 237 innings. Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:00:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_pitches_one_perfect_inning_in_finale/11873908 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_pitches_one_perfect_inning_in_finale/11873908 Ben Sheets pitches one perfect inning in finale http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ben_sheets_pitches_one_perfect_inning_in_finale/11873908 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Ben Sheets was the inspirational comeback story of the year. Or at least it seemed that way. He was phenomenal in his first five starts since the Atlanta Braves coaxed him out of retirement. Then his shoulder started wearing down. He gave up 15 runs in his last three starts before being sent to the DL. It was supposed to be a stint that would just allow him to get some rest and be ready to help the Braves down the stretch and in the postseason. However, the arm strength never did return. And with that in mind, Ben Sheets will retire after his start today. According to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sheets will make his scheduled start in the regular season finale tonight in Pittsburgh, but he will not be added to the postseason rosters and he will not pitch again. Sheets had retired once before, after the 2010 season that saw him undergo one too many operations on his pitching elbow. At the time, he didn't think he would pitch again, but when... Wed, 03 Oct 2012 08:31:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_injury_news_ben_sheets_to_retire_after_todays_start/11871127 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_injury_news_ben_sheets_to_retire_after_todays_start/11871127 Braves Injury News: Ben Sheets to Retire After Today's Start http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_injury_news_ben_sheets_to_retire_after_todays_start/11871127 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/5/853d74b7e23365b7093f609e525be8acbc6a5b21/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Pitcher Ben Sheets will make the final start of his injury-plagued career Wednesday afternoon for Atlanta. Sheets says he will retire after Wednesday's game against the Pirates, which is the regular-season finale for both teams. "I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt I'm not playing again," Sheets said, according to MLB.com. "No matter what, there is not enough help or money to pull me out of this one." Sheets expected to retire when he underwent Tommy John surgery midway through the 2010 season. He had undergone a major surgical procedure to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow two years earlier and figured his career was over. But after throwing again early this year, Sheets was lured into a comeback by the Braves. He signed in July and went 4-1 with 1.41 ERA in his first five starts. He had less success in his next three starts before his right shoulder became too problematic in late August. He is 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA. He ha... Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:44:52 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_sheets_will_retire_after_wednesdays_start/11868313 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_sheets_will_retire_after_wednesdays_start/11868313 Braves' Sheets will retire after Wednesday's start http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_sheets_will_retire_after_wednesdays_start/11868313 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Braves starter Ben Sheets has finally reached the end of the road. MLB.com's Mark Bowman is reporting that Sheets will hang up his spikes after tomorrow's Braves regular season finale with the Pirates. Sheets is expected to pitch sometime during the game, though it's not known whether or not he'll start the game. The Braves signed Sheets this July and he made eight starts for them, going 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 48 1/3 innings. Despite his effectiveness, it was clear that this wasn't the same Ben Sheets that was the tenth overall pick in the 1999 draft and the fifth best prospect in baseball in 2001. His fastball, which averaged 93 during his prime years, was down to 90 this season, and his offspeed stuff also saw a massive drop in velocity. The injuries that had robbed him of so many major league appearances reared their ugly head again. The Braves placed Sheets on the DL after his start on August 24th with shoulder inflammation, and that was apparently enough. It... Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:26:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_to_retire/11866732 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_to_retire/11866732 Ben Sheets to retire http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ben_sheets_to_retire/11866732 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/5/853d74b7e23365b7093f609e525be8acbc6a5b21/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg The surprise pitcher of 2012 is back.  Ben Sheets was activated from the disabled list yesterday by the Atlanta Braves.  He was placed on the DL back on August 26th with right shoulder inflammation.  The move was more precautionary than anything as Sheets has a long history of injuries in his career.  Now that he is off the DL, he will be used from the bullpen initially. According to George Henry of the Associated Press, Sheets will pitch from the bullpen for the first time in his career.  In last night's win over the Washington Nationals, Sheets did not pitch, but the Braves used six pitchers.  It is very possible that Sheets will make his first appearance from the bullpen today to allow the 'pen some rest and to see how his shoulder responds.  His shoulder should be fully rested after nearly three weeks on the disabled list. Sheets has had a difficult time staying healthy in his career.  As we previously covered here, Sheets' is a testament to perseverance and... Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:30:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/atlanta_braves_activate_ben_sheets/11727961 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/atlanta_braves_activate_ben_sheets/11727961 Atlanta Braves Activate Ben Sheets http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/atlanta_braves_activate_ben_sheets/11727961 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Atlanta Braves right-hander Ben Sheets was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, MLB.com reported Saturday. Sheets came back after a two-year retirement. He had struggled with numerous right-arm injuries over the years. He is 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA in eight starts for the Braves. However, in his last three starts, he has a 7.71 ERA and opponents are hitting .318 against him. "I can pitch at this level," Sheets said. "I just need to be at 100 percent. I've dealt with it my whole life. Normally you can pitch through it and you can make a turn for the better. But we don't have that kind of time." The Braves will not add another starter since they have been using a six-man rotation and were planning to go back to five after Aug. 31. Miguel Batista was brought up from Class AAA Gwinnett to take Sheets' roster spot. He will pitch out of the bullpen. Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:53:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_place_sheets_on_dl/11547790 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_place_sheets_on_dl/11547790 Braves place Sheets on DL http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_place_sheets_on_dl/11547790 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Every pitcher goes through the occasional "dead arm" period, most often early in the season. But when you've spent 345 career days (and two entire seasons) on the disabled list, the way Ben Sheets has, you need a stronger way to describe it: After Sheets gave up five runs in six innings Sunday night against the Mets, broadcasters suggested he might be experiencing “dead arm” a common phenomenon pitchers go through during spring training as they get their arms in shape. But Sheets said Tuesday he would characterize it more as “dead body” now that he’s six starts into his comeback after two years out of baseball following multiple elbow operations. “My whole body felt dead,” Sheets said. “I was like ‘Weekend at Bernie’s' guy. I was like Bernie.” Zombie Sheets will rise again on the fifth day, when he's scheduled to start against the Dodgers. The best news for the Braves: Sheets, who's survived a serious injury or two in his time, characterized his body b... Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:28:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/bp_unfiltered_ben_sheets_dead_body_by_ben_lindbergh/11461924 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/bp_unfiltered_ben_sheets_dead_body_by_ben_lindbergh/11461924 BP Unfiltered: Ben Sheets' Dead Body by Ben Lindbergh http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bp_unfiltered_ben_sheets_dead_body_by_ben_lindbergh/11461924 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/5/853d74b7e23365b7093f609e525be8acbc6a5b21/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg On Thursday, the MLB Network asked me to prepare a segment on the best "under-the-radar" acquisitions this season. I immediately thought of Ben Sheets, and sent an email to Braves general manager Frank Wren asking him for some background. Wren called me and explained that he preferred to talk rather than respond by email. "I'd be typing for an hour," he said. Yes, the story is that good. In fact, Sheets became a Brave in part because of his son Seaver, 10, who -- as you might have guessed -- is named after Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Sheets, 34, was the coach of Seaver's travel-ball team. The family resides in Monroe, La. And on the final weekend of June, the team had a tournament in Atlanta. If you're thinking, "Hmmm, home-court advantage for the Braves," you're on the right track. Sheets, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2010, already had auditioned for the Braves and other teams at the University of Louisiana at Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:24:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_gamble_on_sheets_paying_off/11365165 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/braves_gamble_on_sheets_paying_off/11365165 Braves' gamble on Sheets paying off http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/braves_gamble_on_sheets_paying_off/11365165 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg ATLANTA -- Ben Sheets doesnt want to talk about his surgically repaired elbow, his comeback or even his unexpected and amazing success in three starts with the Braves. His hitting ability or inability is more like it -- is on his mind, and when something is swimming around his brain, theres little to stop it from coming out of his mouth. My bat is starting to come around, he said. Im starting to make some loud outs during BP. Swinging and missing is at a minimum. Rookie infielder Tyler Pastornicky chimed in: What are you, like at .029 for your career. No, Im at something like .067, Sheets said. Im awful. I cant hit. (Its) hard. Sheets has long been considered one of the worst hitting pitchers of his generation, and with his career average barely registering at .077 he didnt give himself enough credit -- he has the numbers to reinforce it. But the Braves dont pay him to hit. They dont care what he does with a bat, as long as he keeps taking the bats out of the hands of their opponents. Sheets has bee Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:43:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11349820 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11349820 Sheets brings excellent arm, leadership to Braves http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11349820 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/5/853d74b7e23365b7093f609e525be8acbc6a5b21/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg ATLANTA -- Ben Sheets doesnt want to talk about his surgically repaired elbow, his comeback or even his unexpected and amazing success in three starts with the Braves. His hitting ability or inability is more like it -- is on his mind, and when something is swimming around his brain, theres little to stop it from coming out of his mouth. My bat is starting to come around, he said. Im starting to make some loud outs during BP. Swinging and missing is at a minimum. Rookie infielder Tyler Pastornicky chimed in: What are you, like at .029 for your career. No, Im at something like .067, Sheets said. Im awful. I cant hit. (Its) hard. Sheets has long been considered one of the worst hitting pitchers of his generation, and with his career average barely registering at .077 he didnt give himself enough credit -- he has the numbers to reinforce it. But the Braves dont pay him to hit. They dont care what he does with a bat, as long as he keeps taking the bats out of the hands of their opponents. Sheets has bee Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:43:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11350351 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11350351 Sheets brings excellent arm, leadership to Braves http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sheets_brings_excellent_arm_leadership_to_braves/11350351 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg CBS's Jon Heyman is reporting that Ben Sheets will start on Sunday for the Braves. Sheets officially signed with the team two weekends ago, and made a pair of rehab starts for AA Mississippi. In those two starts, Sheets allowed six earned runs in 10 2/3 innings, but struck out ten while walking just one, and he didn't allow a homer. One concerning note from Sheets's rehab is his performance against right-handed hitters. Sheets allowed 11 hits while recording just 14 outs against righties, walking one and striking out just three. Against lefties, Sheets allowed only one hit while setting down 18 hitters, walking none and striking out nine. Sheets hasn't pitched in the majors in nearly two years, with his final start coming on July 19, 2010 with the A's. Sheets has dealt with numerous injuries since, including his second tear of his flexor tendon. Sheets will turn 34 next week. To make room for Sheets in the rotation, Atlanta is faced with an... Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:17:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_to_start_for_braves_on_sunday/11193247 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_to_start_for_braves_on_sunday/11193247 Ben Sheets to start for Braves on Sunday http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ben_sheets_to_start_for_braves_on_sunday/11193247 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/5/853d74b7e23365b7093f609e525be8acbc6a5b21/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Ben Sheets gave up four runs in five innings for the Double-A Mississippi Braves in his first professional appearance in nearly two years. The veteran right-hander gave up two runs in both the first and second innings, but settled down after that, retiring 10 in a row to end his outing. He struck out six and walked one. The Atlanta Braves hope the four-time All-Star can bolster their starting rotation in the coming weeks. The 33-year-old last pitched in the majors with the Oakland Athletics in 2010. He had a 4-9 record and a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts before an elbow injury ended his season. He threw 74 pitches, including 46 strikes on Wednesday. His fastball sat around 90 miles per hour most of the evening. Wed, 04 Jul 2012 22:23:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_finishes_strong_in_double_a_outing/11155310 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/sheets_finishes_strong_in_double_a_outing/11155310 Sheets finishes strong in Double-A outing http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sheets_finishes_strong_in_double_a_outing/11155310 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/596636193e33caa6a5f4c77fc2f732408981886d/mini/mlb-oakland-tampa-bay-rays.jpg Yesterday, MLB Trade Rumors came out with a report that should be of some interest to Brewers fans: Former Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets, who has been out of baseball since 2010, is planning on making a comeback. According to MLBTR, Sheets threw for scouts (with representatives of the Yankees, Braves, Phillies, and Angels in attendance) yesterday in Louisiana. Sheets has more or less been retired since his 2010 stint with the Athletics ended in him tearing his flexor (elbow) tendon for the second time, requiring three different procedures, including a Tommy John surgery. Between his big-league debut in 2001 and the injury that ended his career with the Brewers in 2008, Sheets averaged 180 innings per year, in spite of recurring shoulder problems that sidelined him for parts of several different seasons. Over that time, he posted an ERA of 3.79 and a FIP of 3.65. He made four All-Star teams, and was the starting pitcher for the NL in 2008. In 2004, he set a Brewers record with 18 strikeo... Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:39:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_might_be_making_a_comeback/11015342 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ben_sheets_might_be_making_a_comeback/11015342 Ben Sheets making a comeback? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ben_sheets_might_be_making_a_comeback/11015342 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/9/89c3dfe4ad6d2df84d616ff53cf731f9af7d57cc/mini/ben.jpg (Thescore.com) According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Phillies were among a handful of teams that took a peek at 33-year-old Ben Sheets in Louisiana on Wednesday. Sheets sat out all of 2011 and hasn’t thrown a pitch since 2010. He had multiple arm surgeries in 2010 while with the Oakland A’s, who gave Sheets a $10 million, one-year deal despite also sitting out all of 2009 with arm issues. When healthy, Sheets is (was?) one of the more intriguing pitchers in baseball. He’s a 4-time all star, exploding onto the scene in 2004 with a 264-strikeout season; one in which he only walked 32 batters in 237 innings. Injuries have wrecked a once-promising career, but because of those flashes of brilliance, Sheets will continue to be looked at until he hangs ‘em up for good. It’s unlikely anything will come of this – especially from the Phillies side – but one has to wonder if Sheets would be a good bullpen arm down the road should he be able to make a return. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:45:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/report_phillies_scout_ben_sheets/11011142 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/report_phillies_scout_ben_sheets/11011142 Report: Phillies Scout Ben Sheets http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_phillies_scout_ben_sheets/11011142 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png