PHILADELPHIA – The Braves opened three spots on their 40-man roster by outrighting third baseman Kyle Kubitza and right-handed pitchers Madison Younginer and Wilfredo Boscan after the three cleared waivers.
One of those spots was immediately filled by Williams Perez coming off a three-month stint on the disabled list for a rotator-cuff strain. Perez was activated Saturday and will start Tuesday in the second game of a three-game series against the Nationals in Washington.
The Braves could use the other two spots for more September call-ups. They’re expected to wait until minor league seasons are over and possibly until after the Double-A and Triple-A affiliates complete postseason play before adding outfielder Mallex Smith and others to the major league roster.
They haven’t said whether top second-base prospect Ozzie Albies will be a September call-up, but with Albies scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League beginning in mid-October there’s a good chance the 19-year-old won’t be brought to the majors this season.
The Braves acquired Kubitza and Boscan vie waiver claims in August, Kubitza from the Rangers and Boscan from the Pirates. Younginer signed a minor league contract with the Braves last winter after six seasons in the Red Sox minor league system.
Younginer posted impressive statistics at Double-A Mississippi (2.98 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings), but had a 7.82 ERA in 10 appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett and a 6.43 ERA in eight major league appearances.
