MLB Free Agent News: Ervin Santana, Atlanta Braves Agree To One-Year, $14 Million Deal

Linked with numerous clubs throughout the offseason, former Anaheim Angels and Kansas City Royals righty Ervin Santana has finally found a home. Coming off a solid season in KC where he posted a 9-10 record with a 3.24ERA in 32 starts, the 33-year-old pitcher is now set to join a banged up Atlanta Braves rotation after inking a one-year, $14 million deal with the National League East club. The addition of Santana makes complete sense for a Braves team that could very well open the 2014 Major League Baseball campaign with starters Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor and Kris Medlen all on the disabled list.

Medlen – who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010 – was expected to open the season as the No. 1 pitcher for the Braves but after suffering a right elbow injury in a recent Spring Training game against the Mets, doctors are unsure how much time the right-hander will miss. “His MRI showed injury to the ligament, but we don’t yet know the extent,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said this week. “A diagnosis would be premature at this point. He will undergo further tests until we seek a second opinion. An MRI can sometimes be inconclusive when a player has had a previous Tommy John surgery.”

While the 28-year-old waits on a second opinion, Atlanta will now focus on solidifying a rotation hit with a rash of injuries. With Santana now added to the five-man loop, he’ll take on a more significant role since Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, rookie David Hale and MLB veteran Freddy Garcia are the only healthy arms currently on the roster. Former Chicago White Sox talent Gavin Floyd is also under contract in Atlanta but the 31-year-old will not be ready for action until at least May following Tommy John surgery.

Prior to signing with Atlanta, Ervin Santana received varying levels of interest from the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays among others.