Atlanta Braves Rotation Taking Shape

Roster Moves Show Braves Rotation Nearly Complete

This afternoon the Atlanta Braves announced several roster moves that indicate the starting rotation for the season is pretty well decided. Specifically they

• Optioned Tyrell Jenkins to Gwinnett Braves.
• Optioned Mauricio Cabrera to Mississippi Braves.
• Optioned Casey Kelly to Gwinnett Braves.
• Optioned Danny Burawa to Gwinnett Braves.
• Released RHP Chris Volstad.
• Released RHP Kyle Kendrick.

The first four were returned to the minors to allow the time to improve their skills, while Kendrick and Volstad were encouraged to find work elsewhere. The moves should come as no surprise to those following the performance of the two veteran starters; they’ve been awful.

Jenkins was returned to Gwinnett to work on locating his pitches more effectively and cut down his walks. If he makes the necessary progress he may well get a chance later in the year.

It’s been pretty widely reported that Matt Wisler and Bud Norris would join Julio Teheran in the rotation to start the year. Norris in particular has done good work  posting an impressive 1.80 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in five IP while facing the starting lineups in early innings.

The sample size is of course small and I am still not in the camp that believes Norris was a good signing. However, his contract and success so this spring pretty much guarantees his spot. Meanwhile another nonroster veteran in camp has made a case for spot number four.

Next: Ah the French. . .