The Cincinnati Reds signed former Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Darius Vines to a minor-league deal.
Vines, who was assigned to Triple-A Louisville and added to the Bats’ roster, was traded August 4 by Tigres de Quintana Roo to Acereros del Norte of the Mexican League. Acereros del Norte released Vines August 18.
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Vines posted a 5.82 ERA in nine appearances over two MLB seasons for the Braves in 2023 and 2024. He started in four of those.
What to know about the 28-year-old Vines:
Vines had a 3.32 ERA over 15 starts for Tigres de Quintana Roo.
After the Braves released Vines in March, he headed south of the border to Cancún.
Among Vines’ teammates with the independent Tigres of Quintana Roo was Phil Ervin, the Reds’ first-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft.
The Braves drafted Vines in the 7th round in 2019.
Vines went to the Braves 13 picks after the Reds selected Eric Yang, who struck out in his only MLB plate appearance for the Reds in 2024.
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The Braves took Vines after he starred at California State University, Bakersfield.
Vines also was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 32nd round of the 2016 draft from St. Bonaventure High School, and by the Chicago Cubs in the 27th round of the 2017 draft from Oxnard College.
Vines also attended Arizona State University and Yavapai College.
Vines was a three-sport star at St. Bonaventure High School.
When he graduated from high school in Ventura, California, in 2016, Vines was the star shortstop in baseball, quarterback in football and point guard in basketball.
Vines’ sister, Dajy, played basketball at Cal State Bakersfield from 2010 to 2015.
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Vines had a memorable MLB debut.
In August 2023, Vines became the first visiting pitcher to debut at Coors Field, pitch six innings and give up two runs or less in Atlanta’s 7-3 win over Colorado.
He also allowed just two earned runs over six innings in his other start that season, against the Chicago Cubs on September 27.
Former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Darius Vines
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who’s Darius Vines? Reds give Mexican League pitcher minor-league deal
