Pitcher Taylor Widener joins the Braves on a minor league contract.

After spending a season in Korea, the former 12th round pick of the Yankees and Diamondbacks reliever now plays minor league ball for Atlanta.

According to sources who spoke with Braves Today, the Atlanta Braves have signed former major league pitcher Taylor Widener to a minor league contract. The deal’s terms were not immediately known.

Widener, a 2016 University of South Carolina product selected by the New York Yankees in the 12th round, will start the season in AAA Gwinnett.

Widener, who is only 29 years old, made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, playing in 49 games over three seasons (13 of which were starts). Widener struggled with walk and home run issues, going 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA while recording a 4.5 BB/9 and a 1.8 HR/9 during that time.

He returned to Korea to begin the previous season, pitching in the KBO for the Samsung Lions and the NC Dinos. He was 7-5 with a 4.54 ERA in 21 appearances overall, including 20 starts.

He also projects to be a starting depth reliever in Atlanta’s minor league system. As of right now, the rotation’s first four spots appear to be set, so Atlanta figures to rotate a number of players through the fifth spot. Best prospects In spring training, AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep will compete for the last rotation spot, but Atlanta has been building depth ever since they started games with sixteen different pitchers in 2023.

Widener will compete against Darius Vines, Dylan Dodd, Allan Winans, and others in 2024 for starts because Atlanta will require them.