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The Atlanta Braves have signed right-hander Wirfin Obispo to a minor league deal, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports:
#Braves sign RHP Wirfin Obispo to minor league deal with ML spring training invite. Older prospect, good numbers with #Reds AA this year.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 5, 2012
Obispo’s new deal with the Braves including an invitation to major league spring training, according to Morosi.
Despite turning 28 years old in September, Wirfin has yet to make his major league debut. He made his professional debut with the Reds’ Dominican Summer League squad in 2006 before heading to Japan to play with the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters for four seasons.
Wirfin spent the 2012 season pitching between the Reds’ Double- and Triple-A affiliates. He struggled over 10 appearances, including three starts, at Triple-A, allowing 14 runs on 19 hits and 15 walks with 14 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings, good for an ERA north of 6.00.
Wirfin’s numbers were much better at the Double-A level, where he maintained an ERA of 2.23 with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.3 walks per nine innings over 25 appearances, including 10 starts.