Add pitcher Mark Redman's name to the mix in the battle for one of the last two spots in the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation.

The National League club signed the free agent to a minor-league contract on Friday in hopes he would offset the loss of fellow left-hander Mike Hampton.

Hampton, 34, won't be ready for the team's season opener April 2 in Philadelphia and could miss two months after hurting his left side (strained oblique muscle) during batting practice Wednesday.

Redman, 33, is expected to report to the Braves on Friday night and is scheduled to start Saturday's pre-season game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

If Redman cracks the 40-man roster out of training camp, he would get a one-year, $750,000 US contract and the chance to earn $500,000 in performance bonuses based on starts.

The Braves are Redman's seventh team in nine major-league seasons. Last year, he was the Kansas City Royals' lone all-star representative, despite a mediocre 11-10 record and 5.71 earned-run average.

He has compiled a 64-76 mark and 4.65 ERA in his career with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Royals.

Redman began his career with the Twins in 1995 and reached the majors in 1999.

Over the last five seasons, he has averaged 30 starts and 186 innings pitched.

With files from Sports Network