Franco, Seanez Are the Newest Braves

The Atlanta Braves on Friday acquired Julio Franco, who has played only one game in the major leagues since 1997. They also got right-handed reliever Rudy Seanez in a separate deal.

Franco, 40, the most valuable player of the 1990 All-Star game, was obtained from the Mexico City Tigers after leading the Mexican League with a .437 average in 110 games. He also had 18 homers and 90 runs batted in.

Franco last played in the majors in 1999, going hitless in one at-bat for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sept. 22. Before that, he hadn’t played in the majors since 1997, when he played 120 games for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers.

“We believe the addition of Julio will provide us with increased offensive capabilities and depth,” Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz said.

Franco batted .301 in 1,891 major league games with the Devil Rays, Indians, Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.

Seanez, 32, was acquired from San Diego for a player to be named after Atlanta submitted a waiver claim. He was 0-1 with one save and a 2.63 earned-run average in 26 games for the Padres. He gave up no runs in 22 of his 26 appearances and held opponents to a .176 batting average. He had 24 strikeouts and 15 walks in 24 innings.

Seanez pitched for the Braves from 1998-2000, going 12-6 with seven saves in 113 games. He had a 3.33 ERA during three seasons with Atlanta.

Franco and Seanez were expected to join the Braves before today’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

The Braves also said they will recall left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez and catcher Eddie Perez from minor league rehabilitation assignments.

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The New York Yankees added infielder Randy Velarde for the stretch run, acquiring him from the Texas Rangers for two players to be named.

Scott Brosius, a third baseman, has been on the disabled list since Aug. 2 because of a hairline fracture in his left hand and is not expected back until the middle of September.

“I like the fact he’s experienced, he plays third, and he’s done some things,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said of Velarde, a former Angel. “I think it gives us an insurance policy because of Brosius; even though we anticipate Scotty back, we’re not sure at this point when that’s going to be.”

Velarde is batting .297 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 78 games with Texas. He was on the disabled list from May 25 to July 12 because a pulled hamstring. The 38-year-old Velarde played with the Yankees from 1987-95. He has a career major league average of .279 with 98 homers and 436 RBIs in 1,202 games.

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Indian Manager Charlie Manuel was released from the Cleveland Clinic after abdominal surgery earlier in the week.

Manuel, 57, who had scar tissue removed from his colon during a one-hour operation Tuesday, is expected to rejoin the Indians this weekend in Chicago.

Bench coach Grady Little has managed the Indians during Manuel’s absence.

The Cincinnati Reds optioned first baseman D.T. Cromer to triple-A Louisville and put pitcher John Riedling on the 60-day disabled list. They also promoted two minor league pitchers.

Dick Selma, a pitcher who compiled a 42-54 record during 10 seasons in the major leagues, died Wednesday at age 57. He had liver cancer.