Braves to sign 6-foot-4, 270-pound lefty slugger with 122 home runs

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Braves to sign 6-foot-4, 270-pound lefty slugger with 122 home runs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Major League Baseball Opening Day is right around the corner, and while most rosters are set, that doesn't mean teams cannot go out and sign players to round out rosters or add to their minor league depth.

For the Atlanta Braves, a team that's dealt with a few troubling injuries to begin the year, spring signings are worthwhile roster moves. And while their latest move doesn't come amid an injury, it's some fun depth for the Braves' infield.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Braves are set to sign lefty slugger Rowdy Tellez to a one-year minor league contract, adding depth with a 31-year-old first baseman.

Braves to sign Rowdy Tellez to a one-year deal​

"Rowdy Tellez to Braves," Heyman reported late Friday night, "Minors deal."

While this contract isn't a major league one for the Braves and Tellez, Atlanta now gains a fun depth piece for their offense this year.

Tellez is 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, and in his Major League career, which began in 2018 with the Toronto Blue Jays, he's put up 122 career home runs.

This past season, he spent time with the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers, hitting .228 with a .719 OPS with 17 home runs in 112 games played.

More: Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves

While Tellez might not be the most impactful player, he is some quality depth that's been a fan favorite wherever he's gone.

Across his eight-year MLB career, the lefty slugger has put up a .234 batting average with a .736 OPS and 101 OPS+. He's been a slightly above-average hitter in his career.

He's not the best fielder, but as a first baseman, he can be a depth option behind Matt Olson in case of an injury. Tellez might not get up to the Majors this year, but he's at worst a quality minor league addition.

More MLB news:​

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Konnor Griffin projected to make Pirates Opening Day roster by two analysts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies

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