LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Rather than being assured of a job, incumbent Cristhian Martinez is among four relievers competing for one and possibly two spots in the Braves bullpen, manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday
It was previously assumed Martinez was certain to be in the ‘pen, since Gonzalez and Braves officials had not indicated the team’s incumbent long reliever would have to compete for a spot.
Gonzalez named sidearmer Cory Gearrin among the six penciled in for bullpen spots along with returners Craig Kimbrel, lefties Eric O’Flaherty, Luis Avilan and Jonny Venters, and offseason addition Jordan Walden, provided Walden can get ready in time after missing much of the Grapefruit League schedule with a bulging disc in his back.
Gonzalez also gave a vague update when asked why Johnny Venters hadn’t pitched in a week since his four-walk inning against the Cardinals on March 13. He said the Braves just decided to “back off” Venters a bit, but when asked if the lefty was hurt or tired, Gonzalez said no, there was no reason in particular.
He said he thought Venters would be ready for the season that begins April 1. But again, gave no reason why he hadn’t pitched in a week. Venters has thrown at least one bullpen mound session this week and said he felt good. Venters also said he was healthy and that the Braves had only rested him a while because it was a long spring.
Gonzalez named Martinez, Anthony Varvaro, David Carpenter and Wirfin Obispo as candidates for the open spot, or two spots if Walden isn’t ready. Gonzalez said Walden would make four more relief appearances before a decision is made. He thought the hard-throwing setup man could be ready in time, but said the Braves have to find out.
Varvaro and Martinez are out of minor-league options, which presumably makes them clear favorites over Carpenter and Obispo. The Braves couldn’t send Varvaro or Martinez to the minors without first getting them through waivers.
Martinez has pitched 151-1/3 relief innings in 100 appearances over the past two seasons for the Braves and had a 3.91 ERA in 54 appearances in 2012.
“I don’t think there’s any better long guy in baseball than Christian Martinez,” Gonzalez said. “You can sit him out there a month and not use him, then if you need him to go five innings he goes five innings.”
Martinez has pitched seven times this spring and given up three runs in three of those appearances. Some red flags might have been raised when he gaves up five hits and three runs in three innings Monday in a minor-league game against Double-A Erie. He has a .314 opponents’ average, allowing 11 hits and two homers in 8-1/3 innings.
Varvaro throws hard and has given up no runs and one or no hits in eight of nine appearances this spring. He’s pitched four innings of one-hit ball since giving up seven hits and five runs in one inning March 7 against Detroit.
“I think that last bullpen spot is probably still out there,” Gonzalez said. “If Walden is good.”
If not, both Martinez and Varvaro could make the cut.
