Jonathan William Venters (born March 20, 1985) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals.

All together in the 2008 campaign, Venters posted a 3.41 ERA, 1 save, and a 2–2 record in 12 total games combined with the three affiliate levels.

[8] Venters became a key part of the Braves bullpen during the 2011 season, serving primarily as the set up man for Craig Kimbrel.

Venters was voted a National League All-Star in 2011, striking out Jacoby Ellsbury as part of a successful two-out effort in the top of the eighth inning.

[18] Venters began the 2014 season on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from surgery,[19] enduring many setbacks in the process.

[20] On August 28, 2014, Venters learned he had torn his ulnar collateral ligament again and would need a third Tommy John surgery to continue his baseball career.

On March 11, 2015, Venters signed a two-year minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

[28][29] On April 25, 2018, the Rays recalled Venters from the Triple–A Durham Bulls, approximately 2,027 days since his last big league appearance.

[31] On July 26, 2018, the Rays traded Venters to the Braves in exchange for an international signing bonus slot.

[32] At the end of the 2018 season, Venters received the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award.

On August 30, 2019, Venters underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn capsule, therefore ending his season.

At the time of his absence, the Nationals finished the year with a 93–69 record, clinching a wild card spot, and eventually winning the 2019 World Series over the Astros.

In 2011, it resulted in an extraordinary whiff rate of 71% (the highest for any pitch by any relief pitcher)[45] and was put in play less than 6% of the time.

[42] He also has a four-seam fastball in the mid 90s and a changeup in the upper 80s that he began throwing somewhat frequently in 2012 against right-handed hitters.