Jonny Venters

Jonny Venters

39-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Jonny Venters in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year contract with the Nationals in May of 2019.
Out for season after surgery
PWashington Nationals  
Shoulder
August 30, 2019
Venters (shoulder) underwent surgery in mid-August to address a torn capsule in his left shoulder and will miss the rest of the season, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
Venters has been on the injured list since early July and now won't be able to throw for about four months, so it's no guarantee he'll be ready for spring training, assuming he opts to continue his career. The 34-year-old finished the season with 11 runs allowed and a 12:10 K:BB across eight innings with the Braves and Nationals.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jonny Venters See More
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
May 11, 2019
Jan Levine analyzes the top waiver-wire targets in the NL this week, including Colorado's Ian Desmond, who is finally heating up after a slow start to the season.
Collette Calls: AL East Bold Predictions
February 2, 2019
Jason Collette peers into his crystal ball to tell us what to expect from the AL East. Is Jackie Bradley Jr. headed for a special season?
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
August 26, 2018
Jan Levine analyzes the top free agents in the National League, including Wilmer Difo, who will take over at second base for the departed Daniel Murphy.
Collette Calls: Uh Oh-tani
June 20, 2018
Jason Collette delivers some grim news to Shohei Ohtani owners, even if the ace pitcher avoids Tommy John surgery. What's the future hold for the phenom?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2019
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Venters' 3.67 ERA in 34.1 innings with the Rays and Braves last season isn't particularly impressive in a vacuum, but the fact that it came after the lefty's recovery from his third Tommy John surgery and his five-year absence from the league made it truly remarkable. His 18.6% strikeout rate was a full eight points below his pre-injury numbers, making his 11.0% walk rate less tenable, but he remained excellent at keeping the ball on the ground, recording a 69.1% groundball rate and allowing just one home run. The performance was enough for the Braves to bring him back on a one-year deal. He'll likely fill a lefty specialist role, having held lefties to a .400 OPS last season while giving up a .739 OPS to righties. His story is inspiring, but the veteran's role limits his fantasy value, and it would be a surprise to see him involved in the closer conversation should the job open up.
Shortly after Venters began incorporating breaking pitches into his bullpen sessions in early May, he started feeling discomfort in his surgically-repaired left elbow. After several failed attempts to ramp his throwing program back up, Venters eventually opted for Tommy John surgery, his third such procedure and second in less than 16 months. The former All-Star's future in professional baseball is uncertain, though there were reports that he was planning to attempt a comeback after the Braves cut ties in November. It's hard to imagine he'll receive any serious offers until next winter.
Venters suffered an elbow injury late in spring training, and when it did not get better with rest, the left-hander eventually opted for his second career Tommy John surgery in mid-May. He figures to miss most, if not all, of the first half of this season while recovering. While Venters has never had great command (4.3 career BB/9), he has overwhelming stuff (10.1 K/9), and should be able to contribute at some point in 2014 as long as he avoids a setback in his recovery.
Venters has been a workhorse for the Braves, pitching 229.2 innings in the last three years as the primary setup man for Craig Kimbrel. The heavy inning count may have caught up to him a bit last year as his ERA jumped to 3.22 in 2012 after two consecutive seasons below 2.00. Though he tends to walk a good number of batters, a career K/9 of over 10.0 has helped him get out of jams and strand 80 percent of runners on base. After early struggles, he finished the year with a 1.71 ERA in 26 games after coming off the disabled list on July 21. Be wary, the heavy workload and previous arm issues do make him a candidate for future injuries. Venters does come with the added value of likely being next in line for save opportunities if anything happens to Kimbrel.
Venters had another outstanding season in a setup role, proving his rookie season was no fluke. He slightly improved his strikeout rate to 10.4 K/9IP and saved five games when closer Craig Kimbrel wasn't available. Venters had a 94 mpg average fastball and keeps the ball in the park as he's allowed just three home runs in the past two seasons. About the only worry is his workload as he led the NL in relief appearances last season with 83 after 79 the season before. He'll enter the season as Atlanta's primary setup man and will get the occasional save when Kimbrel needs a day off.
Venters looked like an odd addition to the 40-man roster last winter as he's had mediocre strikeout rates in his minor league career despite a mid-90s fastball. A strong spring training saw him get called up early in the season and he suddenly became a dominate reliever by averaging just over 10.0 K/9IP with good control. By the stretch run, Venters was being used in high-leverage situations late in games. Entering 2011, he's potentially a part of the Braves' ninth-inning solution following the retirement of Billy Wagner.
More Fantasy News
Moves to 60-day IL
PWashington Nationals  
Shoulder
July 31, 2019
Venters (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
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Faces setback
PWashington Nationals  
Shoulder
July 27, 2019
Venters (shoulder) experienced discomfort after two pitches in a rehab appearance Tuesday and will have his MRI reviewed, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.
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Dealing with shoulder strain
PWashington Nationals  
Shoulder
July 12, 2019
Venters was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain Thursday.
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Out with undisclosed injury
PWashington Nationals  
Undisclosed
July 12, 2019
Venters landed on the 10-day injured list with an undisclosed injury Thursday.
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Stuck with first loss as Nat
PWashington Nationals  
July 6, 2019
Venters (0-1) took the loss Friday against the Royals, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk in the 11th inning while striking out one.
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