ATLANTA (AP) — Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says Ben Sheets will pitch Sunday against the New York Mets, his first major league start in almost two years.
Sheets, the former Milwaukee Brewers ace, had a bullpen session Thursday. Gonzalez said the Braves will make a roster move before Sheets makes his first big league start since July 19, 2010.
Atlanta signed Sheets to a minor league contract on July 1. He made two starts for Double-A Mississippi, going 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 10 2-3 innings. In eight seasons with Milwaukee and one with Oakland, Sheets is 90-92 with a 3.79 ERA in 241 career starts.
Gonzalez hopes Sheets can go five innings Sunday, but will not let him surpass 80 pitches. Sheets has been on the disabled list seven times in his career.
