Blaine

Boyer

An expensive way to free a 40-man roster spot. Boyer will now collect a major league salary for at least the next two months and accrue service time. The right-hander has been out since April following shoulder surgery. He might not be back this season.

“My arm feels good,” Boyer said. “I’ve just got to get my mechanics and arm slot back.” He will pitch for the Braves’ instructional league during the next five weeks.

Boyer opted out of his minor league contract with the Royals over the weekend after he learned that he could get a more lucrative deal overseas. The righty hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2011.

Boyer determined that he wasn’t going to get called up despite a 3.00 ERA and 18/3 K/BB ratio over 15 innings at Triple-A Omaha, so he decided to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract. He’ll now look for a gig elsewhere.

It’s not clear if the deal includes a spring training invite. Boyer, 31, didn’t pitch professionally last season and hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2011 as a member of the Mets. He’ll likely function as organizational depth in 2013.

The 28-year-old righty has been a big part of Arizona’s bullpen struggles this season, allowing 11 earned runs and 17 hits in 12 2/3 innings of relief. He was out of options, so the DFAing was necessary (and warranted).

The right-handed reliever was designated for assignment earlier this week after allowing 11 earned runs in his first 12 2/3 innings of relief for the D’Backs. He unsurprisingly drew no interest on waivers.

Boyer will earn $700,000 should he make the Padres roster. He spent the majority of the 2013 season with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan’s Central League where he compiled a 2.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21/4 K/BB ratio over 27 innings of relief work. The 32-year-old will compete for a role in the Padres bullpen in the spring.

Boyer has been nursing a sore shoulder. The win tonight reduced the Braves’ magic number to five for winning the NL East.

Boyer’s shoulder has been giving him trouble for a while now. He’ll probably be used sparingly if at all this week.