Remlinger agrees to minor league deal

ATLANTA --Reliever Mike Remlinger is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing Monday to a minor league contract that would pay him $700,000 if he's added to the major league roster.

Remlinger, who will be 40 by opening day, pitched four years with the Braves and made the All-Star team in 2002. He left after that season for a three-year, $10.65 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, but never had as much success as he did in Atlanta.

With the Braves, the left-hander went 10-1 in 1999 -- his only season with double-figure wins. He was 7-3 with a career-best ERA of 1.99 during his All-Star year.

Remlinger was traded by Chicago to the Boston Red Sox last August. He was designated for assignment less than three weeks later after posting a 14.85 ERA in eight appearances, giving up 15 hits in 6 2-3 innings. For the season, he was 0-3 with a 6.58 ERA in 43 games.

The Braves are desperate to improve a bullpen that was a major liability last season. With spring training less than a month away, they have yet to land a closer and may have to go with holdover Chris Reitsma, who held the job part of last season.

Remlinger isn't a candidate to fill that role, but he could provide a much-needed left-hander in the bullpen. For now, the team's main candidates are John Foster (62 appearances, 4-2, 4.15 ERA) and Macay McBride (1-0, 5.79, in 14 innings).