The Braves made three roster moves Saturday, including promoting Josh Ravin to the major-league bullpen.
Reliever Rex Brothers was optioned to Triple-A, and reliever Akeel Morris was designated for assignment to open room on the 40-man roster for Ravin.
Ravin, 30, was acquired from the Dodgers on Nov. 20. He pitched in 14 games last season, allowing 12 earned runs, striking out 19 and walking nine in 16 2/3 innings.
Ravin adds an arm capable of giving the Braves multiple innings if needed. Peter Moylan, Sam Freeman and Arodys Vizcaino each pitched in the first two games of the season. Shane Carle pitched two innings Friday, resulting in a shortened bullpen before Sunday’s off day.
The moves leave the Braves a nine-man bullpen. But the aforementioned four either are unavailable or limited, while Jose Ramirez and A.J. Minter would be pitching for the second consecutive day if they took the mound Saturday.
“We brought him up so he can provide length, throw multiples if we need him to,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s a big, strong guy. It’s one of the good things, you put together that stable of guys you’re going to need like that.”
Brothers’ appearance on opening day saw him issue two walks in relief of Julio Teheran. He was unable to record an out and was replaced by Dan Winkler.
Morris pitched in eight major-league games last season, giving up one run in 7 1/3 innings. He had a 2.65 ERA over 54 1/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A in 2017.
