NEW YORK -- The Atlanta Braves have shut down left-hander Jonny Venters for the rest of the season after the reliever tore an elbow ligament while trying to come back from his second Tommy John surgery.
The 29-year-old Venters hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012, a season after he made the National League All-Star team.
The Braves said Thursday that Dr. James Andrews had found the tear a day earlier. Venters had been doing light throwing in his comeback bid.
"They did an MRI, and he retore it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "One of the options is for him to have the third Tommy John."
Venters previously had the elbow surgery in 2005 and '13.
Venters is 15-10 with six saves and a 2.23 ERA in three seasons with Atlanta. He led the majors with 85 appearances in 2011.