The Braves announced their first round of roster cutdowns Friday, trimming their camp roster by 24 players.
Six players were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, while the other 18 were reassigned to minor-league camp. The players optioned - meaning they remain on the 40-man roster - were right-handers Victor Arano, Patrick Weigel, Jasseel De La Cruz and Chad Sobotka, along with left-handers Tucker Davidson and Kyle Muller.
Players reassigned to minor-league camp: infielders CJ Alexander, Bryce Ball and Braden Shewmake, catcher Logan Brown, left-handers Thomas Burrows and Phil Pfeifer, outfielders Justin Dean, Travis Demeritte, Michael Harris, Trey Harris and Drew Waters, right-handers Daysbel Hernadez, Kurt Hoekstra, Connor Johnstone, Nolan Kingham, Freddy Tarnok, Victor Vodnik and William Woods.
While there are intriguing names in the bunch, few were legitimate candidates to make the opening-day roster. It’s likely pitchers such as Arano, Davidson and Weigel will contribute down the road. Young outfielder Michael Harris has had a dominant spring and appears poised to leap up prospect rankings. Waters is the team’s top prospect outside major leaguers Ian Anderson and Cristian Pache. It’s possible he debuts later this season. Prospects Shewmake, Tarnok, Woods and Vodnik had their moments and are firmly on the radar.
The Braves’ roster stands at 43 players. It includes 20 pitchers, five catchers, 11 infielders and seven outfielders. The group will be cut to 26 before opening day.
There are nine non-roster invitees remaining: right-handers Carl Edwards and Nate Jones, catchers Shea Langeliers and Jonathan Morales, and infielders Ehire Adrianza, Ryan Goins, Jason Kipnis, Pablo Sandoval and Sean Kazmar.
Notes from Friday:
- Huascar Ynoa started in the Braves’ 8-5 win over the Twins. He wasn’t at his best, walking three, striking out four and allowing three runs in three innings. Each of the charged runs came after Ynoa departed in the fourth inning with the bases loaded. He surrendered two singles and walk before turning it over to Philip Pfeifer, who couldn’t minimize the damage in Minnesota’s five-run fifth.
Touki Toussaint allowed one hit over his three scoreless innings. He’s struck out five and walked two in five innings (two appearances) this spring. Toussaint is trying to work his way back into the pitching mix as a potential spot starter or reliever.
“He was really, really efficient,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He pounded the strike zone. He had a good side (session) the other day. Hopefully he can build off that.”
- It was a good day for the individuals battling for bench spots. Switch-hitter Pablo Sandoval had his first multi-hit effort of spring, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jason Kipnis, another former All-Star competing for a bench role, also had two hits. Johan Camargo blasted his first homer. Jake Lamb and Abraham Almonte each had a hit. Ehire Adrianza had a bunt single.
Even Sean Kazmar, a Gwinnett Braves staple who’s not among those competing for a spot, got into the action with two hits, including a three-run go-ahead homer in the seventh. Kazmar is a 36-year-old infielder who hasn’t played in the majors in over a decade, yet he’s remained committed to his minor-league career. He’s played in Triple-A Gwinnett since 2013.
“Kaz is the MVP of camp every year,” Snitker said.
- Ian Anderson makes his second spring start Saturday against the Red Sox. He pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking one in his first outing against the Twins.
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