Paronto back in the big leagues

MIAMI -- The Braves on Tuesday promoted a little-known 30-year-old reliever from Richmond, a move that normally wouldn't cause much of a stir. But Chad Paronto, the reliever in question, appears to be a markedly improved pitcher over the one who spent more than two years looking for a baseball job.

First, Paronto is an imposing 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds.

"I thought he played for the Miami Dolphins when he came in," manager Bobby Cox said before the Braves commenced a three-game series against the Marlins.

Second, Paronto, who said he is capable of throwing a 96-mph fastball, has decided to live in the 90- to 94-mph range in order to improve his control. And the results are, well, striking. In 17 2/3 innings for Triple-A Richmond, the hulking right-hander has a 1.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts to go with four saves.

Paronto will replace Horatio Ramirez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

"Probably in the last three years, it finally sunk into my head that I didn't have to throw the ball as hard as I could to get outs," said Paronto. "If you get behind 3-1, it doesn't really matter how hard you throw. I want to keep the ball down and work ahead of hitters."

Paronto last played in the Majors in 2003, with Cleveland, but the Indians parted ways with him at midseason after he posted a 10.16 ERA in 6 2/3 innings. Since then he's been "scratching," as he says, to find his way back to the big time.

"I hear he's been super down there [at Richmond]," said Cox. "Looks like he's got it together real good."

Even so, Paronto's time with the Braves may be limited. Ramirez, recovered from the hamstring strain that has kept him out since April 5, pitched the first of three scheduled rehab starts on Monday. He went three innings for Richmond against Columbus, giving up a run on six hits.

Ramirez, who threw 48 pitches in that outing, plans to pitch four innings on Saturday in Rome, Ga., and will then have one more unspecified start before he is likely to return to the Braves.

"The first two innings were pretty weird," said Ramirez in the Braves' clubhouse of his return to the mound. "I felt like I hadn't been out there in a year. But my arm strength was there. I didn't get tired at all."

Ramirez instinctively sprinted near the third-base line to field a swinging bunt early in the game, and said that his hamstring felt fine.

"I didn't even think about my leg at all," he said.

As Ramirez talked, closer Chris Reitsma walked by and playfully massaged his teammate's left hamstring for maybe 15 seconds. Ramirez just smiled.

As for Paronto, he never found out how far his intimidating physique could have taken him in football. He attended a New Hampshire high school of about 200 students, and no football team.

"I think I could have played tight end," he said, "because I have some soft hands."

Paronto will happily settle for having a chance to take that intimidating look to the mound for the Braves.