Jack Wilson will be Pastornicky's backup

The Braves will have Jack Wilson be the veteran middle infielder in 2012.

The Braves spoke with Orlando Cabrera, Miguel Tejada, Ronny Cedeno and others, but in the end they brought back a familar face.

Jack Wilson, who was acquired by the Braves on August 31 last season, will get a one-year, $1 million dollar contract.

Atlanta hopes rookie Tyler Pastornicky will replace Alex Gonzalez as the new starting shortstop. But they wanted a veteran there to help Pastornicky and to be a backup option.

Wilson is a former All-Star with Pittsburgh. He played the last three seasons in Seattle.

The 34-year-old Wilson hit .220 last year in 41 at bats for the Braves. For Seattle, Wilson hit .249 with no home runs and 11 RBI in 173 at bats.

Wilson's best year was in 2004, when he hit .308 and led the National League with 12 triples.

Wilson can play shortstop, second base and third base.

Non-roster invitees Drew Sutton and Josh Wilson will also battle for playing time in spring training.



Bill Shanks hosts The Bill Shanks Show on WPLA Fox Sports 1670 in Macon, GA and WCOH Fox Sports 1400 in Newnan, GA. Shanks is a columnist for The Macon Telegraph. Email Bill at and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/billshanks.