Pitcher won 21 games in 2003

Law: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9277478/houston-astros-do-not-take-mark-appel-first-mock-draft-2013-mlb-draft?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">First 2013 mock draft
Bowden: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9275431/mlb-better-shelby-miller-matt-harvey?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Who's better -- Miller or Harvey?
Nitkowski: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9278772/how-major-league-teams-became-better-scouting-asian-pitchers-mlb?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">MLB clubs now smarter in Asia
Karabell: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/eric-karabell/post?id=1464&addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Machado deserves more love
Szymborski: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9273573/the-houston-astros-quest-catch-1962-new-york-mets-mlb?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Astros' quest to catch '62 Mets

Updated: November 3, 2003, 9:44 PM ET

Associated Press

ATLANTA -- All-Star pitcher Russ Ortiz will be back with the Atlanta Braves for another season.

The Braves exercised an option Monday for a second year on Ortiz, who led the National League last season with a career-high 21 wins.

Acquired from San Francisco last offseason for left-hander Damian Moss and a minor leaguer, Ortiz was 21-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 34 starts for Atlanta.

Ortiz, 29, earned $4.6 million in 2003, and the club option was for $5.7 million in 2004. He can become a free agent after that.

comments