Braves sign Mississippi resident Jay Powell

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Braves sign Mississippi resident Jay Powell

Right-handed pitcher signed to a minor league contract and assigned to the Mississippi Braves

The Mississippi Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, announced today the signing of former Mississippi State star Jay Powell to a minor league contract for 2005.
Powell, a right-handed pitcher, is a 10-year Major League veteran. He has pitched for Florida, Houston, Colorado, and Texas. In 2004, Powell underwent season-ending ligament transplant surgery, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 8.

Powell, 33, who has pitched in the Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series, has compiled a Major League record of 36-23, with a 4.19 ERA.

The 6-4, 230-pounder was born in Meridian, MS, and resides in Madison, MS. Following a stint at extended spring training, Powell is expected to join the Mississippi Braves, where he will continue his rehab work in an injury rehabilitation assignment.

"It's always exciting to get a player with big-league experience doing a rehab assignment with our club," said Steve DeSalvo, Mississippi Braves General Manager. "However, having a player on our team, who lives in the Jackson metro area, is exciting for everyone in Mississippi, and I would imagine, pretty exciting for Jay as well."

[Greenhead22]