"With the Braves prepared to turn over the shortstop position to a rookie with no major league experience in Tyler Pastornicky, they wanted a veteran to back him up. They filled that need Friday when they signed Jack Wilson to a one-year $1 million deal, with an additional $500,000 in incentives.

Wilson, 34, returns to the Braves after coming to them in a trade from Seattle last August 31. He said he's glad to have a chance to make a few amends, both team-wise and personally after hitting .220 (9-for-41) with one double and one RBI in 17 games in September.

"It's always nice, especially when a team trades for you, and they call back," Wilson said Friday. "I really didn't perform like I wanted, so this gives me a chance to come back and have a better year for the team and to be the guy they envisioned when they traded for me."

Wilson was acquired last year to give the Braves a better option than Julio Lugo to back up Alex Gonzalez down the stretch. Now that Gonzalez is gone (he was non-tendered and signed with the Brewers), the Braves wanted a veteran influence to help Pastornicky."