Atlanta Braves claim Pedro Beato off of waivers

Feb 15, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher

(53) throws during team workouts on the practice fields of Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Update: The Braves have announced the official corresponding move after acquiring Beato.

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Immediately after the Atlanta Braves’ series clinching victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced that the team had claimed relief pitcher Pedro Beato off of waivers:

In addition to giving us a random picture, O’Brien lets us know that a corresponding more should be announced this Friday.

This move came out of nowhere, but it does make me wonder if this is somehow related to Jordan Walden. If you haven’t noticed, Walden hasn’t pitched an inning this season when multiple situations have called for him coming into the game–if he’s healthy. Here’s a bit about what I wrote in the recap linked in the first paragraph:

"It’s now two games where Fredi has given Carpenter the nod in the eighth inning with a close game on the line. He did the job fine on both occasions, but this has to raise some questions about Jordan Walden‘s health/availability at this time."

This is all speculation of course, but the timing of the move certainly is curious.

As for Beato’s talent, well he’s largely been a minor league pitcher throughout his career with just 81 major league innings under his belt with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. In that time he has a 4.55 ERA, a 5.66 K/9 and 3.44 BB/9. It doesn’t seem like a huge move, but let’s all remember that Frank Wren is the best general manager in baseball when it comes to waiver wire pick ups and bullpen construction.

We’ll keep you updated as this situation progresses.