The Braves on Wednesday outrighted David Fletcher to Triple-A Gwinnett.

This move took Fletcher off the 40-man roster, but it strictly was procedural.

It seems Fletcher still is in line to make the club out of spring training as a utility infielder — barring anything unforeseen. By outrighting Fletcher, the Braves opened a 40-man roster spot, which gives them more flexibility.

Fletcher hasn’t yet eclipsed the five years of major league service time that would give him the ability to reject an outright assignment to the minors. And the Braves, who placed him on waivers to remove him from the 40-man roster, knew no one would claim Fletcher because of his $6 million salary for 2024.

Thus, the Braves freely opened a 40-man roster spot.

They still expect Fletcher to make the team as a backup infielder.

Of the players acquired by the Braves over the past week and a half, outfielder Jarred Kelenic is the only one on the 40-man roster.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Danny Young, 31, was with the Braves organization in 2022 and 2023, making eight major-league appearances. (Jason Getz/AJC 2023)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo