The Atlanta Braves have signed left-handed starting pitcher John Halama to a minor league contract. Halama was pitching for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League. Halama, 37, has nine seasons of major league expreience, mostly with Seattle. He was 8-and-1 with a 2.05 ERA in nine starts this year.
His role with the Braves organization will likely be to fill in as a starter for the depleted triple-A starting pitching ranks, and as emergency starting pitching depth for the major league club.