Braves add righthander Floyd
The Atlanta Braves agree to terms with free-agent righthander Gavin Floyd, who is recovering from elbow surgery.
THE ATLANTA Braves added a needed veteran for their rotation yesterday when they agreed to a $4 million, 1-year contract with righthander Gavin Floyd.
Now the question is when Floyd will be ready to pitch.
Floyd, 30, is recovering from surgery in May to repair the ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow. That ended his seventh season with the Chicago White Sox.
He passed a physical in Atlanta before completing the deal, which also includes roster and performance bonuses.
Floyd, a former first-round draft choice of the Phillies, said his arm "feels tremendous."
"It's nice to start over, create the right mechanics . . . all the simple things to become more natural," he said.
Atlanta also avoided arbitration with pitcher Brandon Beachy, agreeing to a $1.45 million, 1-year deal. He would earn a $25,000 bonus for 30 starts.
Floyd, who spoke at Turner Field, said he already has recovered his arm speed and is just working on endurance. He said he has been cleared to throw from 55 feet.
Floyd's best season came in 2008, when he was 17-8. He has a 70-70 career record with the White Sox and Phillies.
In other notable transactions:
* Arizona acquired closer Addison Reed from the White Sox in exchange for third-base prospect Matt Davidson.
* St. Louis signed free-agent second baseman Mark Ellis.
* Free-agent closer John Axford, who had 46 saves for Milwaukee in 2011 but has struggled the past two seasons, has agreed to terms with Cleveland.
Also, the Indians signed free-agent pitcher Shaun Marcum to a minor league contract.
* Minnesota agreed with righthander Mike Pelfrey on a 2-year, $11 million contract, a source said.
Noteworthy
* Boston rightfielder Shane Victorino underwent surgery to release a nerve in his right thumb and is expected to be ready in time for by spring training.
* Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball have finalized a posting system that caps the fee for players at $20 million, a deal that may lead to pitcher Masahiro Tanaka going on the market.