Hot off the presses:

The Atlanta Braves today signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Julian Tavarez to a contract through the remainder of the 2008 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.  Tavarez is expected to be in Los Angeles in time for the Braves’ game versus the Dodgers tonight at 10:10 p.m. ET.

Tavarez owns an 84-72 career record with 22 saves and a 4.46 ERA in 750 games.  He has appeared in 16 games this season (nine with Boston and seven with Milwaukee) and is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA. Tavarez has not allowed a home run in 20.0 innings pitched this season and has limited right-handed batters to a .213 (10-for-47) average.

The Braves are Tavarez’s 10th major league club. He broke in with Cleveland in 1993 and has pitched in the postseason five times, including twice in the World Series (1995 with Cleveland and in 2004 with St. Louis).

I spit on this move.