The Braves made their first flurry of roster moves of spring training Friday, sending 13 players to the minor leagues.
Pitchers Jacob Webb and Bryse Wilson, both of whom were on the big-league team for part of last season, were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Braves also optioned pitchers Jasseel De La Cruz and Huascar Ynoa to Gwinnett.
Nine other players were reassigned to the minor-league camp, none surprisingly: first baseman Bryce Ball, pitcher Thomas Burrows, outfielder Trey Harris, pitcher Kurt Hoekstra, outfielder Greyson Jenista, pitcher Connor Johnstone, catcher Carlos Martinez, pitcher Kyle Muller and infielder Braden Shewmake.
Webb has pitched in two spring-training games and Wilson in three. Webb allowed four runs on four hits in 1-1/3 inning of work, while Wilson gave up five runs on eight hits in 5-1/3 innings.
Webb was a significant contributor to the Braves’ bullpen for part of last season, posting a 1.39 ERA in 36 appearances. But he didn’t pitch in a big-league game after going on the injured list July 13 with what was described as an elbow impingement.
The decision to option Webb was in part because of the Braves’ desire not to rush him as he returns from the injury.
“They can control pace over there (in minor-league camp) a lot better,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Like I told him, we’re going to need him. … We can take our time with him. And shoot, he could be back within the first week (of the regular season). You just don’t know.”
Friday’s moves leave the Braves with 55 players in the big-league camp, including 26 pitchers, six catchers, 14 infielders and nine outfielders. The active roster must be trimmed to 26 players by the regular-season opener March 26 at Arizona.
