Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

How Braves lined up for their spring training opener

By
Feb 28, 2021

The Braves and Rays open their exhibition slate Sunday in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Braves’ first lineup included shortstop Dansby Swanson, third baseman Austin Riley and a group of players competing for spots.

Here’s how the Braves lined up Sunday:

1. CF Ender Inciarte

2. SS Dansby Swanson

3. 3B Austin Riley

4. 1B Pablo Sandoval

5. 2B Jason Kipnis

6. RF Abraham Almonte

7. C Alex Jackson

8. LF Travis Demeritte

9. DH Bryce Ball

Kyle Wright was slated to start the seven-inning game. Other scheduled pitchers included Sean Newcomb, Grant Dayton, Tucker Davidson, Carl Edwards Jr., Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel.

Almonte and Demeritte are battling for bench spots. Inciarte is competing with Cristian Pache for the starting center-field job. Jackson is competing against William Contreras for the backup catcher spot.

Kipnis and Sandoval are former All-Star infielders hoping to rejuvenate their careers in Atlanta. Ball is a powerful young player trying to make an impression.

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

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