The Braves cut three more from their spring-training roster Monday when relievers Sugar Ray Marimon and journeyman left-hander Donnie Veal were reassigned to minor league camp along with catcher Brandon Schlehuber.
All three were non-roster invitees, and the moves left 10 non-roster invitees among the 43 Braves remaining on the major league camp roster, including 23 pitchers.
The Braves still have 15 cuts to make in the next two weeks before their April 6 season-opener at Miami. They haven’t decided whether to keep two or three lefties in the bullpen, with Josh Outman the only certainty.
Others who could figure into the lefty-relief equation include James Russell, Luis Avilan, prospect Manny Banuelos and veteran non-roster invitee Eric Stults, who is a leading candidate for the fifth-starter job.
After missing two weeks with a foot injury, Russell allowed six hits and six runs in 1 2/3 innings of his second appearance, then gave up four runs (three earned) in four innings Monday against the Astros, including a two-run homer by former Braves slugger Evan Gattis.
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