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KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves agreed Wednesday on a $14.1 million, one-year contract with Ervin Santana, bolstering their injury plagued starting rotation. The 33-year-old right-hander went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA in 32 starts for the Kansas City Royals last season and should make a huge impact with the battered Braves, who are facing the prospect of losing Kris Medlen for the season and opening with Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor on the disabled list. Medlen, who had been announced as Atlantas opening-day starter, left a spring training outing Sunday after grabbing his right elbow. Initial tests showed ligament damage, and he will undergo further examination to determine if he needs surgery for the second time in less than four years. Medlen said hes already preparing himself to miss the entire season. Beachy left a start Monday because of continuing problems with his right elbow, and Minor has yet to pitch this spring because of a sore shoulder. "In light of what has happened over the past few days with our pitching staff, we felt it was incumbent on us to do everything we could to strengthen our starting pitching," Braves general manager Frank Wren told reporters before a game against Washington. Santana will be pitching in the NL for the first time in his 10-year career. He spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Royals in 2013, helping Kansas City post an 86-76 record, their best since 1989. But Santana, who made $13 million in the final year of his contract, turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Royals and became a free agent. Given his hefty contract demands, he remained unsigned as spring training began, despite putting up some impressive career numbers. "This guy makes our rotation a lot better than where we are at now," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, praising Wren. "We lost Medlen and Beachy in a matter of 2 1/2 days and he went out there and got the best pitcher available for us." Santana threw a bullpen at the Braves spring training complex on Wednesday, which Gonzalez said went well. Despite his late entrance to camp, Santana could be ready for the start of the season. "It will be close," Gonzalez said. "We are kind of keeping our fingers crossed that we can get him enough innings where he can start for us." Santana was an AL All-Star in 2008, tossed a no-hitter in 2011, and has reached double-figure wins five times, going a career-best 17-10 in 2010 and twice winning 16 games. Overall, he is 105-90 with a 4.19 ERA. Santanas agent, Jay Alou, said he initially received a text from Wren on Sunday, then got another call Tuesday night while negotiating with other clubs. It didnt take long to reach an agreement with Atlanta, a deal that includes award bonuses. Its easy to see why the Braves felt a sense of desperation. Medlen went a team-leading 15-12 with a 3.11 ERA last season, while Minor was 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA. The team also was counting on a full recovery for Beachy, who was one of the NLs most effective pitchers in 2012 before he underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Beachy has been limited to a total of 18 starts over the past two seasons, enduring several setbacks in his attempt to come back. After his latest problem, he will miss his next scheduled spring start and faces another trip to the DL. Minor, who underwent urinary tract surgery on Dec. 31, hopes to pitch within the next week but also seems likely to start the season on the DL while he builds his arm strength. Given all the health issues, the Braves got to the go-ahead from corporate owner Liberty Media to bump the payroll well above the projected $100 million limit. Wren called it "an incredible decision by the organization." With opening day less than three weeks away, the only healthy members of the Braves possible rotation are second-year pitchers Julio Teheran (14-8 last season) and Alex Wood, rookie David Hale and non-roster invitee Freddy Garcia. Hale and Garcia have both struggled this spring. Atlanta also signed veteran Gavin Floyd, but he is coming off Tommy John surgery and wont be ready to pitch until at least May. Now, add Santana to the list, though it will likely be mid-April before he is prepared to join the rotation. He has been throwing on the side and could make his spring training debut next week. "We want to take the right amount of caution to get him ready right, and be ready for the long haul," Wren said. By signing Santana, the Braves forfeited their first-round pick in Junes amateur draft, No. 26 overall, and the Royals will receive a compensation-round selection, the 28th overall. Atlantas first pick is now 32nd overall, as compensation for losing free agent catcher Brian McCann, who signed with the New York Yankees. Santanas signing leaves only two free agents -- Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales -- available from the 13 players who turned down qualifying offers. If they agree to one-year contracts after opening day, they wouldnt be subject to qualifying offers this November. If they wait until after the draft to reach agreements, clubs that sign them wont lose selections. Among the 22 qualifying offers in the two years of the new labour contract, none have been accepted. "Frankly, the players havent adjusted to the change," New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "To blame the system versus the marketplace and blame the system versus a misunderstanding of the marketplace I think is a little one-sided. From a management standpoint, Id say, Hey, Im surprised if you guys havent taken a qualifying offer. Maybe they should have." 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Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins (3) - Surrendered a tough first goal against on a deflection through the body short side.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel was ruled out from playing against the Miami Dolphins because of swelling in his left knee. That means journeyman backup Thad Lewis, who is from Miami, will make his fourth start of the season on Sunday -- and second of the year against the Dolphins. The Bills (5-9) have already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Dolphins (8-6), meanwhile, control their own playoff destiny. Miami, which has won three straight and four of five, can clinch a berth by either winning its final two games or having both Baltimore and Cincinnati lose. Bills coach Doug Marrone made the decision to sit Manuel early into practice on Wednesday after the rookie first-round draft pick showed difficulty with his mobility. Manuel practiced inside the teams fieldhouse, and was then held out once Marrone shifted the session outside on the slick turf at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Marrone said Manuels lack of mobility and instability in the knee would have made it difficult to play. And he was also concerned how ready Manuel might be with limited practice time. Manuel was hurt during a 27-20 loss at Jacksonville on Sunday, though its not clear on which play the injury occurred. Drafted 16th overall out of Florida State, Manuel was the first and only quarterback selected in the first round. He has gone 4-6 as a starter this season. And this will mark the third time since training camp that hes been sidelined with a knee injury. Manuel missed the final two weeks of the preseason after having a procedure on his left knee, which he hurt in a game against Minnesota. He then missed four games after spraining his right knee in a 37-24 loss at Cleveland on Oct. 3. Marrone first revealed the injury on Monday, but was optimistic about Manuels chances of playing..dddddddddddd That changed over the past two days when Manuels knee did not respond to treatment. Though Manuel wont play this weekend, Marrone said he felt "very confident" that Manuel will start in the Bills finale at New England on Dec. 29. The injury comes after Manuel had won his first road game of the season, and had a chance to help Buffalo string together consecutive wins for the first time since Weeks 2 and 3 of 2012. Manuel is 3-2 at home and has struggled with his consistency on the road. Lewis has proven to be a capable backup since being promoted from the practice squad on Oct. 7. He went 1-2 in place of Manuel earlier this season before Lewis was sidelined by a rib injury in a 35-17 loss at New Orleans. Lewis victory came against the Dolphins on Oct. 20, when he went 21 of 32 for 202 yards and an interception in the 23-21 win. The Bills acquired Lewis in a trade with Detroit in August, after Manuel hurt his left knee. He was cut by Buffalo before the start of the season and then signed to the teams practice squad. Overall, the Duke product has gone 62 of 103 for 652 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Receiver Stevie Johnson is also not expected to play, Marrone said. Johnson has been excused to be with his family in California following the unexpected death of the players mother on Saturday. "I dont believe that he will be available for our game on Sunday," Marrone said. "And I think its important we realize this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with Stevie and his family." Marrone also considered starting safety Aaron Williams chances of playing on Sunday as "50-50." 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