Brothers agreed to a one-year deal with the Braves on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Brothers will return to Atlanta for a second season after avoiding salary arbitration with Thursday's non-guaranteed contract. The veteran reliever appeared in 27 games for the Braves last season, posting a 7.23 ERA (3.66 FIP) over 23.2 innings of work. As has been the case throughout his professional career, Brothers flashed impressive strikeout upside (31.4 percent K-rate), but continued to struggle with his command (11.4 percent walk rate). Barring any major mechanical adjustments, he'll likely be no more than a low-leverage relief arm for the Braves in 2018.

Brothers was called up by the Braves on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Brothers looks to provide more depth to Atlanta's bullpen as the club brings up a wave of September call-ups prior to Friday's game against the Cubs. During 17 relief appearances with the big-league team this season, Brothers has posted an ugly 7.63 ERA, including six earned runs over his last three innings of action. He figures to see time during low-leverage situations moving forward.

Brothers was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Brothers hasn't turned many heads since being summoned to the Braves at the end of June -- posting a weak 7.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 15.1 innings -- so he'll head back to the minors for some more seasoning before returning sometime after rosters expand in September. The move clears room for Dan Winkler (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day DL in a corresponding move.

Brothers has allowed five runs and recorded eight strikeouts across 7.2 innings this season.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old has already allowed two home runs since being called up in late June, but also has a win and two holds in his eight appearances. Brothers has been used primarily in low-leverage thus far, and will need to earn the trust of manager Brian Snitker if he's going to see high-leverage work.

Brothers gave up two hits and struck out one in an inning of relief during Thursday's loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

After Jaime Garcia walked the leadoff hitter in the seventh inning with the Braves already down 5-0, Brothers came in and allowed the inherited runner to score before fanning Cory Spangenberg to end the frame. Expect the former Rockie to continue working in low-leverage situations for now, but Brothers' career numbers against same-side pitching (.221/.335/.320 with a 28.9 percent K rate) could eventually allow him to supplant Ian Krol as the top lefty in Atlanta's bullpen if he proves himself.

Brothers was called up to the big leagues by the Braves on Thursday as the team selected his contract from Triple-A Gwinnett.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, Atlanta designated Bartolo Colon for assignment. During four appearances with Gwinnett this season, Brothers has yet to give up a run and only allowed two hits while striking out four to maintain an WHIP of 0.49. This will be his first taste of the majors since coming in out of the bullpen on 17 occasions for the Rockies in 2015. Brothers is going to serve as depth for the Braves bullpen moving forward.

Brothers signed a minor league contract with the Braves on Friday, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal does not include an invitation to major league camp for spring training. Brothers, who saved 19 games for the Rockies in 2013, did not pitch at any level last season after being released by the Cubs in March. The lefty had a 1.74 ERA during his last run in the majors in 2015 (10.1 innings), but he had a 1.65 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB over that stretch.

Brothers was released by the Cubs on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brothers' short stint with the Cubs came to an end Thursday after the 28-year-old reliever failed to find much traction on the mound this spring. In three exhibition appearances this spring, Brothers allowed three earned runs and three walks while striking out four batters across 2.2 innings. He'll hit free agency with a chance to possibly latch on with another club this spring.

Brothers struck out two in one inning in the Cubs' spring opener Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Brothers signed with the Cubs in December and should be a part of the bullpen this season.

Brothers signed a one-year, $1.42 million contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will receive a relatively modest raise in 2016 after spending most of 2015 with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, posting a 4.46 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 45 appearances. The Cubs seem to think the control issues can be improved upon or overcome to a large extent -- he was able to do so earlier in his career -- but it's hard to imagine Brothers working his way into the back-end discussion with his new team.