Jeff Bennett claimed the Braves' final roster spot Saturday after Buddy Carlyle was informed he was being optioned to Class AAA Richmond.

Bennett used a nice spring and the fitness that came from losing 50 pounds to earn a job in the bullpen as a long reliever. He's hoping that will enable him to stick around, even after John Smoltz gets back from the disabled list April 6.

"Honestly I feel like they need a long guy, and I don't see another long guy that they have," said Bennett, who was in a long relief role in Richmond much of last season and with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004.

"I'm hoping I can fill that spot and be pretty solid for the season," he said. "Blaine [Boyer] and [Chris] Resop [and Royce Ring] have been throwing one, two innings. Right now I'm pretty much the only guy up to four innings. Whatever happens happens. I can't control that. I do still have options. I'm hoping I can pitch well enough to where they don't want to use those."

Boyer, Resop and Ring are all out of options.

For the time being, Bennett is just happy to be breaking camp with the team.

He made a big impression on the organization last season when he moved into a starting role late and pitched Richmond into the playoffs. Then he went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three outings for Atlanta, including two starts. After a strong Venezuelan winter league, Bennett put up a 1.93 ERA this spring in 14 innings over six outings.

"I'm pretty excited to be making the team," said Bennett, who has a lot to feel good about. He is wearing an old belt from last year five holes tighter now. "It's a lot more free [throwing]. I'm not as bulky. And I haven't lost any velocity."

Carlyle will open the season in Richmond, a move the 30-year-old journeyman took in stride.

"This if the first place I've played in a very long time that I've felt like home," said Carlyle, who was 8-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 22 appearances last year for Atlanta. "To get optioned with a chance to come back here, you'd much rather do that than go somewhere else. I want to be here with this team. It's going to be an exciting year for these guys. I definitely want to be a part of it at some point."