Braves sign Loney after Freeman injury

The Atlanta Braves didn't waste any time replacing the injured Freddie Freeman.

With the team in need of reinforcements after Freeman fractured his left wrist Wednesday, the club has signed veteran James Loney to a minor-league contract.

Loney, 33, entered spring camp with the Texas Rangers, but was released at the end of March after hitting just .174/.224/.261. He caught on with the Detroit Tigers on April 12, but was released May 7.

The defensively gifted Loney appeared in 100 games for the New York Mets in 2016, hitting .265/.307/.397 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs.

Over his career, he's appeared in the big leagues for four clubs, and owns a lifetime slash line of .284/.336/.410.