Feb. 27—Pitcher Matt Swarmer, a Gov. Mifflin and Kutztown University product, has been signed to a minor league contract by the Atlanta Braves and the right-hander appeared in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees.

The 29-year-old threw one-third of an inning in relief in a 7-0 loss to the Yankees, allowing one hit and walking one.

Swarmer, who is not listed among the Braves' non-roster invitees to spring training, became a minor league free agent following last season.

He made his major league debut last May 30 for the Chicago Cubs and went 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 11 games, five of them starts. He struck out 36 and walked 20 in 34 innings.

He went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his first two starts, walking three and striking out 11 in 12 innings. He struggled over his next three, however (9.95 ERA in 12.2 innings) and was moved to the bullpen.

Swarmer went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA over 9.1 innings in six relief appearances, striking out 12.

He was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa in July, designated for assignment three days later, passed through waivers, was outrighted off the 40-man roster and stayed with the Cubs organization for the remainder of the season.

He had gone 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in nine games, five of them starts, for Iowa before his promotion in May. He finished the season 3-3 with a 3.87 ERA in 21 games, 15 of them starts, in Triple-A. He struck out 86 and walked 33 in 81.1 innings.

Swarmer was selected in the 19th round by the Cubs in the 2016 draft.