The Braves have claimed right-hander off waivers from the Nationals, per a team announcement. Righty was designated for a signment in a corresponding move. Washington had designated Willingham for a signment last week. Willingham, 26, is a Georgia native and Georgia Tech product whos pitched in the majors in each of the past two seasons with the Nats. Hes totaled only 25 1/3 innings and been torched for a 7.11 ERA in that tiny sample, but the 64, 223-pound righty has enjoyed plenty of succe s in the upper minors. Willingham was unscored upon in the brief 10 2/3 innings he spent at the Double-A level and carries a combined 3.47 ERA in parts of two Triple-A seasons (93 1/3 innings). Hes punched out a solid 23.3% of his Triple-A opponents albeit against a more problematic 10.8% walk rate. The claim of Willingham adds a power arm to the Braves depth chart one who still has a minor league option year remaining. Willingham has averaged 95.9 mph on his heater in the majors and ran it up to 98 mph in his lone big league outing this past season. Though his strikeout rate in Triple-A was roughly in line with the major league average, his 13.1% swinging-strike rate against minor league opponents was well north of Juan Uribe Jersey MLBs 11.1% average. He pairs that heater with a 90 mph cutter and 85 mph slider. Winans, 29, has pitched in the majors in each of the past two seasons as well. Hes similar to Willingham beyond their identical ALW initials in that both have struggled in the big leagues but pitched well in Triple-A. Winans has an ugly 7.20 earned run average with a 20.9% strikeout rate and 6.6% walk rate in the majors. In parts of three Triple-A campaigns, however, he touts a 3.26 ERA, 21.8% strikeout rate and 6.9% walk rate. Thats come in a sample of 256 innings, as Winans has operated primarily as a starting pitcher. Both pitchers also have one minor league option remaining. The similarities broadly stop there. Winans sits just 90-91 with his four-seamer and 89-90 with his sinker. He pairs those modest fastballs with an upper-70s slider and a changeup that sits 82-83 mph. Hes generally gotten by in the minors with sub-par velocity thanks to strong command and a knack for inducing weak contact. Big league hitters havent made a lot of hard contact on average, but when they do square Winans up, the results havent been pretty. Hes yielded a 10% barrel rate and been tagged for an average of 1.80 home runs per nine innings pitched. The Braves will have five days to look for a potential trade partner for Winans. At that point, theyd have to place him on outright waivers, which take an additional 48 hours to proce s. Frank Robinson Jersey