Venters has signed a two-year minor league contract with the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

An N.L. All-Star back in 2011 and one of MLB's premiere setup men from 2010-12, Venters has not appeared in a single game over the past two seasons and underwent his third Tommy John surgery last summer. Though he is unlikely to be ready to return to a mound during the 2015 season, the Rays hope the left-handed reliever is able to regain at least some of his previous form heading into 2016.

Venters (elbow) was released by the Braves on Friday.

A few years ago, Venters was perhaps the best lefty reliever in the game, but he is now recovering from a third elbow reconstruction. The Braves designated him for assignment earlier in the week, and Venters no doubt asked to be released. At this point it is hard to envision the once great setup man ever returning to a prominent role in the major leagues over the course of a full season.

Venters (elbow) has been designated for assignment by the Braves, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

Venters has already had three elbow reconstruction procedures in his career, and it this point, it's unclear if he'll continue to rehab in the minors, or call it quits on his MLB career.

Venters (elbow) has been activated from the 60-day DL.

Tommy John surgery was needed to repair a full UCL tear in Venters' elbow in late August, his third reconstructive elbow procedure. It's highly unlikely he'll pitch in 2015 and his future in major league baseball is uncertain.

Venters will undergo a third Tommy John surgery, Kevin McAplin of the Braves Radio Network reports.

Venters was a back-end guy in the Braves' bullpen just a couple years ago, but has had terrible luck with his arm. He has decided to give his career another crack, however, and will receive a Tommy John surgery from the renowned doctor James Andrews.

Venters has a full UCL tear in his left elbow according to manager Fredi Gonzalez.

A UCL tear for Venters was confirmed Wednesday, but the severity of the tear had yet to be disclosed until Thursday evening. A full tear is clearly bad news, as Venters will miss a calendar year at the minimum, but considering that it would be his third Tommy John surgery, extended rehab seems like a likely possibility. Whether he chooses rehab or retirement remains to be seen.

Venters (elbow) was diagnosed with another tear of his UCL and has been ruled out for a return this season, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

It's not known if the tear is a partial or full one, but either way, Tommy John surgery would likely be necessary for Venters. The left-hander was in the process in recovering from his second Tommy John operation before suffering this latest setback, and it would be difficult to blame him if he chose to retire rather than set forth on yet another arduous rehab process. It's a sad development for 29-year-old Venters, who was one of the game's top middle relievers from 2010 to 2012.

Venters has been shut back down due to renewed elbow soreness, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The left-hander recently tried to ramp up this throwing program but the decision to do so was ill-fated, as he's now scheduled for another visit to Dr. James Andrews. Venters' recovery from May 2013 Tommy John surgery -- his second career Tommy John surgery -- has been interrupted by several setbacks and if a third such procedure is needed, it may very well jeopardize the 29-year-old's career.

Venters (elbow) threw 15 pitches from the bullpen over the weekend and still hopes to return this season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien reports.

Neither Venters or manager Fredi Gonzalez were willing to put a timetable on the power lefty's return to the Braves' bullpen, but it doesn't sound like he is completely ruled out as a possible September option.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Wednesday that he's not counting on Venters (elbow) to return this season, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Venters has been throwing bullpen sessions over the last week, but he still has a long way to go as he recovers from his second Tommy John surgery. Given the uncertainty of how effective he might be coming off the severe injury, Venters will likely be ticketed for low-leverage work if he's able to make it back from the disabled list in September.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Friday that Jonny Venters (elbow) could be ready for mound work during the team's July 29-August 6 road trip.

Venters long-tossed from 100 feet Friday as he ramps things back up following a platelet-rich plasma injection back in June. The lefty's recovery from Tommy John surgery hasn't gone smoothly, but the Braves haven't given up hope of him contributing this season.

Jonny Venters (elbow) did some light tossing Saturday for the second straight day.

It's the first time he's thrown since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left elbow last month. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said the tossing wasn't technically part of Venters' rehab program, and it's not clear when the lefty will be cleared to ramp things up. At this point, the Braves would probably be happy to get Venters back at some point during the final month of the season.

Jonny Venters will be sidelined for another 4-6 weeks after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left elbow.

Venters has dealt with soreness in his surgically-repaired elbow for a month now and simply couldn't get over the hump. Dr. James Andrews confirmed recently that the elbow was structurally sound, but the Braves are hoping the shot knocks out the soreness. Venters won't rejoin the big club's bullpen until the second half.

Jonny Venters (elbow) did some light throwing Tuesday.

Venters had been shut down for 10 days due to some pain caused by scar tissue in his surgically-repaired left elbow. There's no timetable for the left-hander's return, but he's moving slowly but surely in the right direction.

Jonny Venters felt more left elbow discomfort after throwing 15 pitches off a mound on Sunday.

Venters is hoping it was a result of scar tissue breaking up rather than something more serious. He will try to throw again later this week. There is no longer a timetable for the left-hander's return to the Braves. He hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2012 due to a second career Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Jonny Venters (elbow) plans to throw off of a mound for the first time on Sunday.

Venters noted Saturday that his elbow soreness is now gone and that he hopes to start throwing live batting practice at some point next week. There's still no timetable for his return, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.

Jonny Venters has been cleared to resume throwing after an exam revealed a minor strain of the flexor muscle in his left elbow.

Venters had a live batting practice session last Wednesday cut short due to soreness in his surgically-repaired left elbow, but he's avoided a serious setback. "He said my elbow looks as good as he's ever seen it over the past couple of years," Venters said. "I'm excited about what he told me and I'm looking forward to getting back on the mound."

Jonny Venters (elbow) hopes to be cleared to resume throwing soon after visiting with doctors Monday.

Venters had a live batting practice session last Wednesday cut short due to soreness in his surgically-repaired left elbow. "There was a tiny bit of swelling the next day but nothing alarming and within two days the soreness was gone," Venters said. "It's been normal for the past few days. I'm going to see the doctor today and hopefully start throwing again as soon as they think is right - hopefully in the next couple days start playing catch and building back up."

Jonny Venters had a live batting practice session last Wednesday cut short due to soreness in his surgically-repaired left elbow.

It doesn't sound like a major setback but rather a minor bump in the road that many experience in their recovery from Tommy John surgery. It's not clear when Venters will resume throwing. The Braves have been hoping to get the southpaw back sometime next month.

Jonny Venters (elbow) will throw live batting practice on Friday.

It will be one day after the one-year anniversary of Venters' Tommy John surgery. A rehab assignment for the reliever isn't too far off, but he's not expected to rejoin the Braves' bullpen until at least mid-June. "I don't even know that far ahead when he'll start his rehab assignment," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "But that's a big step when we feel comfortable enough to start throwing batting practice."