Jonny

Venters

Venters will be allowed to throw again in four months. The left-hander has not ruled out continuing his career, but you couldn’t blame him for retiring given all his injury problems.

This move clears a 40-man roster spot for reliever Daniel Hudson, who was acquired from the Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon. Venters remains out indefinitely with a left shoulder strain.

Venters got roughed up in his final first-half appearance July 5 against the Royals and won’t be available for the start of the second half. There should be an update soon about the severity of the shoulder injury. The veteran lefty reliever owns a brutal 12.38 ERA in 12 appearances this year between the Braves and Nationals.

The move is part of a mini bullpen shakeup, as Fernando Rodney is also set to join the Nationals. Venters was released by the Braves last month and has put up a 1.29 ERA in nine appearances in Triple-A to go along with six walks in seven innings. The 34-year-old did a nice job against left-handed hitters last year and will try to duplicate that success in his return to the majors.

Fernando Rodney is also expected to join the Nats’ bullpen on Tuesday. Venters signed a minor league pact with the Nats last month and has posted a 1.29 ERA over nine appearances in Double-A, though he walked six batters in seven innings. The Nationals are hoping these veteran arms still have something left in the tank as they attempt to fix their shaky bullpen.

Venters, 34, was released by the Braves earlier this month after allowing 13 runs -- nine earned -- over just 4 2/3 innings of work. The Nats currently have the worst bullpen in baseball and can use the depth. He should eventually get a shot in Washington.

Venters allowed 13 runs (nine earned) in just 4 2/3 innings this year. He actually earned a save earlier in the week and then got blown up in his last two outings. Venters may get another chance in a different organization. He registered a 3.67 ERA in 50 games with the Rays and Braves last year.

Venters was summoned to face lefty David Peralta with two outs in the ninth inning and got him to ground out to end the contest. The 34-year-old southpaw has given up six runs on six hits and five walks over five innings of work this season. He’s a fantastic example of perseverance and overcoming adversity, but he’s not a reliable long-term solution for the issues in the Braves’ bullpen.

Venters missed three and a half weeks with a strained calf. He could pick up the occasional save opportunity if the Braves play the matchups at closer.

Venters allowed a hit and a walk while throwing eight of his 12 pitches for strikes. It was an encouraging outing, at least health-wise for the left-hander, who will make at least one more appearance for Gwinnett before joining the Braves’ bullpen. The veteran landed on the IL with a right calf strain last week.