Atlanta Braves Also Released Eury Perez Last Night

Mar 5, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Eury Perez (8) gets back to first base as Detroit Tigers first basemen Aaron Westlake (80) catches the throw in the third inning of the spring training baseball gameat Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Late add-on to the non-tender list:  Braves decline to renew Eury Perez

Last night we discussed the decision that was made to allow injured/rehabbing starting pitching Mike Minor to depart the club.  At the time, we knew that Pedro Ciriaco was not offered a contract for 2016 as well.

Perhaps a little surprising was this news that we just received this morning:

Eury Perez didn’t play a lot, and he had occasional ‘moments’ in left field (including an in-game collision with Cameron Maybin), but his 80-class speed also made him useful on the basepaths as a late replacement.  He did appear in 47 games for the Braves, hitting. .269 in 133 plate appearances – and did very well at AAA Gwinnett.

Presumably, the Braves will now rely on Michael Bourn and Mallex Smith for those needs for speed.

2015 was Perez’ 4th season of major league experience – 2 with the Nationals and 1 with the Yankees – all being “cups of coffee” until 2015.  At the moment, he seems to have been out via a numbers’ games:

• There’s currently no room for him on the 25-man roster, assuming that Daniel Castro is part of it, along with the newly-acquired Gordon Beckham.
• I think he’s also out of options.  That may not quite be the case (that’s one thing difficult to track without a lot of research, but it appears so), and if true he’d have to clear waivers to be retained.

Next: Concerns at First Base?

The Braves could have chosen to DFA Perez, but they opted for the non-tender route instead, which allows him a shot with any other club, rather than just a single waiver-claimant.  Respectful move on their part.

This will put the 40-man roster at 38 names once Gordon Beckham passes his physical and is added to the list.