Jeff

Bennett

Bennett, 30, allowed 13 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham this season. He will seek a bullpen job with another organization.

Bennett was released by the Rays earlier this month after allowing 13 runs over 10 2/3 innings with Triple-A Durham. He was 2-4 with a 5.01 ERA in 44 relief appearances between the Braves and Rays last season. The 30-year-old right-hander made his major league debut with the Brewers in 2004, posting a 4.79 ERA over 60 relief appearances. He should provide some organizational depth.

That both Jorge De La Rosa and Derrick Turnbow are out of options really hurt Bennett’s chances of keeping his bullpen spot. He did adequate work last year after being taken from the Pirates in the Rule 5 draft, and he figures to get better. He could return to the majors in a month or two.

Bennett, 33, has been mostly pitching in independent ball and the Mexican League the last four years. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2009 and is merely organizational depth.

It’s taken a while, but Bennett, who spent 2004 in the majors with the Brewers as a Rule 5 pick from Pittsburgh, is back now. He has a chance of lasting as a middle reliever.

A very disturbing showing from the Brewers, who were coming off a loss to the Astros on Wednesday. Bennett struck out just 45 batters in 86 innings in the minors. He earned himself another start with the performance, but he shouldn’t be a candidate for a spot in next year’s rotation.

He can’t be any worse of an option than Lance Cormier. Still, this might be his only start this month.

He allowed one run in three innings his first time out. Bennett’s fine showing in two starts after his Sept. 19 callup will likely keep him on Atlanta’s 40-man roster all winter. He’d be a better bet in middle relief, but he could contend for a rotation spot in spring training.

He struck out five and walked one, but was burned for a pair of long balls. His ERA rose to 3.46, but he kept his team in the game. Bennett has enjoyed a nice little run over his three late-season starts, especially in the command department (a K/BB ratio of 14/3), but it’s doubtful he gets a chance at a rotation spot next year on the Braves. A more likely scenario will see him win a long reliever gig.

Bennett has a GB:FB ratio of nearly 3:1 in his 36 innings. He also pitched well in a brief audition in September, so he’s a definite candidate to make the Braves as a swingman next year.