Braves sign Ben Sheets to minor-league contract

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Braves signed veteran starter Ben Sheets to a minor-league contract Sunday.

The 33-year-old Sheets will report to Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday.

The right-hander last pitched in 2010 with Oakland, going 4-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts.

Atlanta's rotation took a hit recently when Brandon Beachy was lost for the season to a torn elbow ligament. Beachy was 5-5 over 13 starts with a 2.00 ERA, tied for lowest in the majors. He had surgery June 25.

Sheets, a four-time NL All-Star, missed the 2009 season after undergoing a similar surgery on his right elbow. He played for Milwaukee from 2001-2008, going 86-83 with a 3.72 ERA in 221 starts.

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