Braves sign Mitch Atkins to minor league deal

The Atlanta Braves have signed right-hander Mitch Atkins to a minor league deal, a source has confirmed to MLBDailyDish.com. Atkins, who has been pitching for the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League this season, will report to Double-A Mississippi.

After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 draft by the Chicago Cubs, Atkins made his major league debut in 2009 and appeared in two games that season. In ten career major league appearances with the Cubs (2009-2010) and Orioles (2011), he has a 6.75 ERA and 6.8 K/9 ratio. In 2012, he was 6-9 with a 4.87 ERA in 28 appearances with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate.

In seven starts with Somerset this season, Atkins has posted a 3-2 record and 3.97 ERA. He is the third Patriot to sign with a major league organization, following Mike Wilson (Padres) and Erik Arnesen (Athletics).

To make room for Atkins on the roster, the Braves traded former Padres hurler Erik Hamren to the Tampa Bay Rays. He will report to Double-A Montgomery.