Braves sign Dennis Martinez to minor-league deal

Posted: Thu January 29, 1998 at 4:05 PM ET

ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- El Presidente was awarded another term Thursday in his resurrected chase to make history.

Right-hander Dennis Martinez, the second-winningest Latin American pitcher in major league history, was cast a chance to extend his career Thursday when he signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Braves gave Martinez an invitation to spring training and a chance to become the all-time winningest Latino pitcher. Martinez, a native of Nicaragua, is the active leader with 241 wins, but is two wins shy of equaling Hall of Famer Juan Marichal's Latino standard of 243.

Nicknamed "El Presidente," he would embark on his 23rd year in the majors if he makes the Braves.

Should he make the team, his 241 wins, 557 starts and 3,909 innings pitched would make him the active leader among major leaguers. He has 187 losses and a 3.71 ERA in 639 career games.

Martinez, 42, was ineffective in nine starts with the Seattle Mariners last season, going 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA before being released on May 24. In 49 innings, he surrendered 65 hits -- including eight home runs -- while walking 29, striking out 17 and hitting seven batters.

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