ATLANTA, Jan. 26 -- Steve Avery will continue his comeback in 2001 with the Atlanta Braves after agreeing Friday to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 30-year-old southpaw spent 2000 in Atlanta's minor league system after having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in August 1999. He pitched for three affiliates and was 1-3 with a 9.43 ERA in four games at Triple A Richmond of the International League.
Avery won 72 games over seven seasons (1990-96) for the Braves and was the MVP of the 1991 National League Championship Series.
He went 6-7 with a 5.16 ERA in 19 games for the Cincinnati Reds in '99 before being placed on the disabled list in July with a strained left shoulder. He later underwent the arthroscopic surgery.
Avery, a Michigan native, pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 1997 and '98 before landing in Cincinnati. He debuted in 1990 as a 21-year-old and had three brilliant seasons for the Braves from 1991-1993, going 47-25 with a 3.17 ERA while making a name for himself in the postseason.
He pitched in 18 playoff games for the Braves and established an NLCS record of 16 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. An All-Star in 1993, Avery owns a lifetime record of 94-83 with a 4.17 ERA.
