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January 9, 2008

PRO BASEBALL: DeSalvo signs with Atlanta Braves

By John D'Abruzzo

Matt DeSalvo is leaving one Major League Baseball dynasty behind for another one.

DeSalvo, a Union High graduate, has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves, signing a minor-league contract .

The 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher spent the past five years with the 26-time world champion New York Yankees, making his major league debut on national television last spring. He became a free agent Dec. 13 when the Yankees declined to offer him a contract.

“Out of all the teams that contacted me, this seemed like the best opportunity,” DeSalvo said of the Braves, who won the National League East Division 14 straight times from 1991 through 2005.

The move was not a surprise to the New Castle native.

“I knew they had a couple of guys to protect and looking at how I have done, I knew it could come,” said DeSalvo, who was the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2005.

DeSalvo was released by the organization last winter, but resigned with New York before spring training as a minor league free agent. It was obvious that would not be the case this year.

According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees are set with their bullpen and will look for youngsters like Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy to join the starting rotation.

“We’ve engaged the market,” New York general manager Brian Cashman told the Daily News. “We’ll look at trades and free agents as always, but right now, what we have is what is going to be competing in spring training.”

DeSalvo, 27, will report to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Feb. 14 for the start of spring training as a non-roster invitee with the Braves’ pitchers and catchers.

“It’s tough going into any new situation,” DeSalvo said. “I’m sure once I settle down and get comfortable, everything will be fine. This is a team that really wanted me. That’s exciting.”

With John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine likely to be Atlanta’s top three starters, DeSalvo will have an opportunity to fill one of the last two rotation spots. As of now, it appears DeSalvo will compete with Mike Hampton, Chuck James, Jair Jurrjens, Jo-Jo Reyes and Jeff Bennett.

“One of the reasons I signed with the Braves, besides the fact they were really interested in me, was the fact I would compete for one of the two starting spots,” DeSalvo said. “I’m going to go into spring training, throw the (heck) out of the ball like I always do and work my way back to the big leagues.

“This is a situation I’m used to. It’s an uphill battle for me and I’m prepared for what’s ahead.”

Originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent out of Marietta College in 2003, DeSalvo spent the majority of last season with Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Through 20 games he registered a 9-5 record with a 2.70 ERA in 113 1/3 innings. DeSalvo struck out 102 and walked 56 at the Triple-A level.

DeSalvo received his first big league callup against Seattle at Yankee Stadium on May 7. He did not earn a decision during the 3-2 loss but allowed just one run through seven innings.

“There’s definitely a weight lifted off my shoulders by achieving a lifelong goal,” DeSalvo said. “For me, I forget about what I have done and go onto another goal.”

Through seven appearances (six starts) for the Yankees, DeSalvo went 1-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 27 2/3 innings. He struck out 10 and walked 18 while allowing 34 hits and yielding 19 earned runs.

DeSalvo wouldn’t discuss last season, but did acknowledge the difference between his 2007 campaign and the one he had the prior year. In 2006, DeSalvo struggled at the Triple-A level and spent the better part of the season in Double-A.

“I think I understood myself better,” he explained. “I got a good grasp of my mechanics and stayed consistent with them and that allowed me to throw more strikes.

“The big thing was that I enjoyed playing the game again and with that I was able to succeed. As soon as you start battling the game and yourself, things start to fall apart. I’m back to having fun and that’s the most important when you play this game.”

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