Braves sign Masset, option Martin to Triple-A

Having gotten a look at Nick Masset during last weekend's trip to Miami, the Braves were confident in signing him Tuesday after the right-handed reliever was designated for assignment by the Marlins.

"We liked him," said manager Fredi Gonzalez. "They liked him too, and they had to make a move to bring Henderson Alvarez up, so we did our homework."

Masset made seven relief appearances for Miami -- including Saturday vs. Atlanta -- in which he allowed three runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old, who is on his sixth MLB team, cleared waivers and opted for free agency.

"The thing I like is eight years of major league experience," Gonzalez said. "He had some really good numbers. We're not bringing him in to be the closer or be an eight-inning guy, but he's a guy that can help us a little bit. In theory, we had three guys in there that were all long guys, (Trevor) Cahill, (Eric) Stults and Cody Martin."

With the addition of Masset, it's Martin that was optioned to Triple-A, where he'll join the rotation. The rookie racked up 19 2/3 innings over 17 appearances, including 12 2/3 in 11 games during the season's first month.

But his moving to a starting role in Gwinnett doesn't mean that he's being stretched out to return to the Braves as a starter.

"He's going to start, just to get him in a normal rotation," Gonzalez said. "He can come back as anything when he does come back as a bullpen guy -- a one-inning guy, a long guy, a spot starter -- he can come back as any of those things."

Masset, who had a 1.86 ERA with the Marlins, was surprised by the move, especially given his success, as he had allowed an earned run just twice.

"I felt like I was throwing the ball really well. It comes down to business decisions as we all know," he said. "I didn't really have a say so. It was a little disheartening for me, but at the end of the day we're just players and we just go out and do what we're supposed to do. To be picked up by the Braves, it's kind of a dream come true for me to."

Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney