Jose

Ascanio

Ascanio was emerging as one of the Braves’ top pitching prospects before a fracture in his back ended his 2005 season. He didn’t pitch very well as a starter at Myrtle Beach, compiling a 4.94 ERA and a 23/20 K/BB ratio in 31 innings, but he has plenty of potential if the Braves want to use him as a reliever.

Ascanio signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in December, but he won’t throw a pitch for the club. The 26-year-old right-hander has appeared in just eight major-league games since undergoing shoulder surgery in October of 2009.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training. Ascanio had a brief stint with the Pirates this past season, but spent the majority of the year in the minors, posting a 5.29 ERA and 56/16 K/BB ratio over 47 2/3 innings between Triple-A Indianapolis and High-A Bradenton. He has struggled to get his career back on track following shoulder surgery in October of 2009 and is unlikely to make a major impact in the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The Braves aren’t going to carry Royce Ring right now, but they did need to cut Ascacio with both Octavio Dotel and Ron Mahay joining the pen. Ascanio has allowed three runs -- one earned -- over seven innings in two stints with the Braves.

Ascanio allowed three runs -- one earned -- over five innings before being sent down 10 days ago. He’ll resume pitching in middle relief.

Ascanio has yielded three runs -- one earned -- in seven innings for the Braves this season. He’ll work in middle relief.

Ascanio has a chance to be a long-term setup man for the Braves, but he doesn’t figure to last long in his major league debut. The 22-year-old had a 2.44 ERA in 33 relief appearances for Mississippi.

Ascanio, who took the loss in extra innings Wednesday, allowed three runs -- one earned -- over five innings in his first stint in the majors.

“He went over to Circle-K last night and evidently somebody … he got punched a few times by a guy who was looking for some money,” manager Lou Piniella said. Ascanio, a long shot to win a spot in the Cubs pen out of spring training, is expected to resume throwing Monday.

The Cubs traded for Infante last month, but both he and Ohman were somewhat redundant on the roster and figure to cost a combined $3.5 million or so for 2008. A 22-year-old reliever, Ascanio had a 2.54 ERA and 71/18 K/BB ratio in 78 innings at Double-A in 2007 before a 13-game stint with the Braves to end the season.