Atlanta Braves Make More Roster Cuts As We Inch Closer To Opening Day

Braves Make More Cuts, Now Down To 36 Active Players In Camp

The Atlanta Braves made a few more cuts on Saturday morning as they reduced the size of the squad by four players.  Starting pitcher Ryan Weber, catcher Willians Astudillo, infielder Reid Brignac and left-handed pitcher Ian Krol.

Lefty Krol could be a name that surprises you to be cut, or maybe not.  The 24-year-old has struggled throughout the 2016 Spring Training as he’s appeared in seven games, giving up nine runs off nine hits, had four walks in only 5.2 innings and a 12.71 ERA.

The Braves are looking to keep two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen and Krol was a pitcher that many thought could have won a job at the major league level.  Especially after Andrew McKirahan is out for the season with an arm injury.

Krol and Weber were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.  Brignac and Astudillo were reassigned to the minor league camp.

The Braves now have 36 active players in their major league camp.

Currently Alex Torres is the only lefty left for the Braves, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the only one in the bullpen on Opening Day.

Atlanta will most likely look within their organization for talent or go surf around he waiver wire.  All teams are currently cutting the extra fat from their rosters and the Braves could benefit from this.  Atlanta’s scouting team has done a great job over the past years finding talent where other teams overlooked.

Hunter Cervenka could be an internal option for the Braves.  The 26-year-old has never pitched at the MLB level, but pitched very well in 2015 with the Gwinnett Braves.  He did get a taste of the MLB at the 2016 Spring Training, but was reassigned on March 14th.  He appeared in five games, giving up two hits, two runs, one walk and had three strikeouts with a 2.25 ERA.

Outside options?  

The Houston Astros released lefty-handed relief pitcher Neal Cotts.  The veteran lefty has a 10-year career in the MLB and is currently a 36-year-old looking for a job.

What about this possibility…Eric O’Flaherty?  He’s currently on the Pittsburg Pirates roster along with Cory Luebke and they’re probably only going to keep one of these pitchers.

Other left-handed names will pop up as we get closer to Opening Day.

Here is what the 40-man roster now looks like….

40-Man Roster

NON-Roster Invitees