The key word is "reportedly." Because while I've run with flimsier conformation, I can't remember when. Last month, MLB Trade Rumors reported that Ben Sheets was throwing for teams and hoping to make a comeback. One of the teams that was reportedly interested was the Atlanta Braves.
Since then, Brandon Beachy went down for the year. Mike Minor and Jair Jurrjens still have ERAs over 6.00. Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson are doing well enough, but the vaunted depth that the Braves started the year with is long gone. Which means this makes a little sense:
Ben Sheets is wearing a #Braves uniform and is throwing in the Turner Field bullpen right now. Wearing #30 and has his name on the uniform.
— Jim Powell (@Jim_Powell) July 1, 2012
Powell is the Braves' radio broadcaster, just reporting what he's seeing. Maybe Sheets is up with the big team, or maybe he's just throwing on the side to give the team a better idea of where he should start his minor-league assignment. Or maybe this is like a Make a Wish thing for his elbow, and he gets to keep the jersey. Not sure.
But it sure seems like Ben Sheets is going to join the Braves. Well, say, that's kind of neat.