Tom Martin Released; John Foster Recalled

BravesCenter.com has learned that the Atlanta Braves have released left-handed reliever Tom Martin and recalled lefty John Foster from AAA Richmond in the International League.

Martin had a horrible spring training and it didn't get any better once the season started. He had a 19.29 ERA in his first four game of the 2005 season, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits in 2.1 innings. This spring, Martin had a 13.49 ERA in 6 games.

Foster signed with the Braves in spring training after asking for his release from the Chicago Cubs. He missed all of the 2004 season with shoulder surgery, but in his three weeks in Orlando he impressed the Braves enough to be put on the Richmond roster.

The 26-year old Foster did very well in his first three games in Richmond. He had a 1.59 ERA, allowing only one run on two hits in 5.2 innings of work, along with a walk and five strikeouts.

Foster was first drafted by the Braves in the 25th round of the 1999 draft. He made his big league debut with Atlanta in 2002 before being traded that next winter to the Milwaukee Brewers along with Wes Helms for Ray King. The Cubs then got Foster in the Rule V draft in December of 2003.

Martin had been acquired last summer in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers for marginal prospect Matt Merricks.