Graduated from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla. …attended Indian River (Fla.) Community College…selected by the Braves in the 30th round of the 2003 June Draft… he and his wife, Viviana, have two sons, Wyatt (6) and Walker (4), and a newborn daughter, Evie.
2017
Made his season debut in late-June and went on to pitch at four levels, reaching Triple-A Durham to end the season…made 3 apps in the International League postseason, helping the Bulls win the Governors' Cup…combined for a 2.28 ERA (23.2-IP, 6-ER) and 29 SO in 24 apps (2 starts).
2016
Made 5 apps for Class-A Charlotte…had a fourth surgery on his elbow to re-attach a ligament, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
2014
Released by Atlanta in November.
2013
Met with Dr. James Andrews on 4/2 and received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his left elbow. Underwent "Tommy John" surgery on 5/16 (by Dr. Andrews) and missed the entire 2013 season. The surgical procedure was the second for Venters, who also underwent "Tommy John" surgery on 10/11/2005, also performed by Dr. Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.
2012
Ranked second among Braves pitchers with 66 appearances and 20 holds. Tossed 2.0 scoreless frames on 7/22 at WSH. It was his first appearance of 1.0+ innings since 6/16/11. On the disabled list from 7/5-21 with a left elbow impingement. He made one rehab appearance (1.0 IP) with Gwinnett on 7/20. His first nine appearances (8.2 IP, 4/5-29) of the season were scoreless while allowing seven hits and logging 17 K. In 20 outings from 5/1-6/12, he allowed 12ER (14 R) and a .382 opponents' avg. in 15.1 IPfor a 7.04 ERA. Surrendered a leadoff home run to WSH's Bryce Harper on 5/25. It was his third career home run allowed to a left-handed batter and his first since 6/29/11 (SEA's D. Ackley). Allowed one hit over 0.2 innings on 10/5 vs. STL in the Wild Card Game.
2011
Led the Majors with 85 appearances and his 35 holds ranked second...Ranked fifth among NL relievers with a 1.84 ERA and ranked seventh with a .176 opponents' batting average...Posted three separate scoreless-innings streaks of at least 15.0 innings (22.2 IP, 7/4-8/22; 22.0 IP, 5/10-
6/16; 15.2 IP, 4/4-5/6). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a reliever accomplished the feat
was 2003, when Rheal Cormier (PHI), Eric Gagne (LAD) and Guillermo Mota (LAD) each had at least three
such scoreless streaks...Snapped his consecutive scoreless innings streak at 22.2 IP (24 app, 2-0, 2 saves) on 8/26 at NYM...Allowed his first HR of season and just the second if his career (125 games/471 at-bats) 6/29 at SEA...Made his first career appearance in the All-Star game. Venters used four pitches to retire each of his two
batters faced via groundout and strikeout in the eighth inning.
2010
Led all Major League rookie qualifying relievers in ERA (1.95), strikeouts (93), holds (24), appearances (79)
and innings pitched (83.0) and was tied for second in opponents average (.203).
... Was named to Baseball America's All-Rookie Team.
... Was recalled 4/17 from Gwinnett (AAA); made his Major League debut that night vs. COL by tossing 3.0
scoreless innings.
... Was ejected from 7/17's contest after hitting MIL's Prince Fielder with a pitch, following a warning from
home plate umpire Angel Hernandez. His four-game suspension was rescinded following an appeal.
... Suffered a blown save on 7/30 at CIN after allowing his first career HR (in his 60th game) to Joey Votto.
... Earned his first career save on 6/3 at LAD by tossing only one pitch in the ninth inning.
2009
Was named a Southern League mid-season All-Star before his promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett on 6/10...Was named Mississippi's Pitcher of the Month for April (0-1, 1.47 ERA, 4 GS, 18.1 IP, 9 BB, 16 K)...Went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in June for Double-A Mississippi (2 GS, 12.2 IP, 6 BB, 9 K)...His 156.2 innings pitched topped all Braves Minor Leaguers...Tied for sixth-best in the system with eight wins...Struck out a season-high six batters four times (all on the road) for Triple-A Gwinnett (7/10 at CHA, 7/16 at SWB, 8/6 at TOL, 8/28 at CHA).
2008
Opened the season on the disabled list with left elbow tendinitis...Made four rehab appearances with
the Gulf Coast League Braves, 7/15-29...Appeared in eight games (five starts) between High-A Myrtle Beach
and Double-A Mississippi (2-2-1, 4.86 ERA)...Recorded one win as a starter 8/28 vs. WTN (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB,
4 K) and one in relief 8/4 vs. KIN (3.1 IP, 0 ER)...Converted only save opportunity 8/1 vs. LYN with 2.0 score-less innings...Posted a 2.90 ERA while going 2-3 in seven starts and one relief appearance for the Honolulu
Sharks of the Hawaiian Winter League.
2007
Started 12 games and made five relief appearances for Myrtle Beach...Pitched four hitless innings to
earn the save on 6/1...Earned the win with 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out five on 7/7.
2006
Missed the season recovering from "Tommy John" surgery on his left elbow.
2005
Pitched a career-high 7.0 innings 5/15 and 7/18, earning the win in both contests...Was 3-1 with one
save and a 2.39 ERA in July.