Ken Giles was once known as a 100-mph closer for the 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros. He appeared in 21 minor league games in the Dodgers' organization in 2023 and logged an earned run average of 9.50.
Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Giles signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
He was traded to Toronto during the 2018 season and has been plagued with injuries ever since.
He missed most of 2020 and 2021 with Tommy John surgery and came back for five games with the Seattle Mariners in 2022.
Over the past four seasons, Giles has only made nine Major League appearances and pitched eight innings.
Giles had a 2.71 ERA and 115 saves in 362 appearances over eight major-league seasons, with 484 strikeouts in 355 1/3 innings. The right-hander burst onto the MLB scene by posting a 1.56 ERA in 113 appearances in his first two seasons with Philadelphia in 2014-2015 and had 16 saves while filling in as the closer.
.The Braves have invited 60 players to big league camp, and the signing of Giles is a low-risk one. They already have a deep bullpen anchored by closer Raisel Iglesias.
If he can add a couple of ticks back to his fastball, he will be a great addition to the six-time reigning NL East champions.
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