Atlanta Braves Make 1st Round of Cuts, Move Eight Players

Braves Cut Eight Players on Wednesday

The Atlanta Braves have made a few roster moves to start the day on Wednesday. No real surprises here unless you’ve been away from Braves news for a week.

Spring training is under way and cuts are part of the business. With injuries happening and players leaving for the World Baseball Classic, these cuts have to be made strategically. A daunting task for first full-time manager Brian Snitker.

If you haven’t seen the news on Braves outfield prospect Dustin Peterson, here it is. Last Wednesday, while batting against the New York Yankees Peterson injured his left hand. On Saturday he had surgery on his left hand to remove the hook of the hamate bone. The initial time table for this injury is eight weeks. With recovery and rehab, we probably won’t see Peterson on the field until the end of May.

Peterson was removed from the Braves current roster and was “reassigned to minor league camp” though out.

He, along with seven others were cut.

To The Minor League Camp

Catchers Joe Odom and Kade Scivicque, left-handed pitchers Sam Freeman and Adam Kolarek, and right-handed pitcher Rhiner Cruz were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Sent To The Minors

Two players were optioned to minor league teams.

Left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle was optioned to Double-A Mississippi and Jason Hursh was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Who’s This Biddle Guy?

The Braves claimed Biddle in March of last year after the Pirates DFA’d him. The Pirates acquired him from the Phillies earlier in 2016. He was once one of the Phillies top prospects as he was drafted in the first round (27th overall) of the 2010 MLB draft. He ranked as high as #53 on Jonathan Mayo MLB.com’s prospect ratings heading into the 2014 season.

The 6’5″ 230-pound lefty had Tommy John Surgery in 2015 and missed the entire 2016 season.

He’s on the path to return to action after TJS and had appeared in one game for the Braves this Spring Training. He pitched one inning, gave up no hits, one walk and had two strikeouts.

Biddle is a starting pitcher and should slot right into the Mississippi starting rotation. 9.29 The Game’s Grant McAuley said on Twitter this morning “Double-A rotation is a perfect spot for Jesse Biddle”. Let’s hope so as he’s definitely an arm to keep your eye on.

Hursh Heading To G-Braves

Jason Hursh appeared in two games during the 2017 Spring Training and it was two forgettable ones for the youngster.

The 25-year-old first appeared in relief on February 27 against the Detriot Tigers. He threw one inning, gave up three hits, three runs, a walk and no strikeouts. His second appearance was better, still not good, against the Boston Red Sox on March 3. He pitched two innings, gave up three hits, one run, hit a batter and had two strikeouts.

Atlanta selected Hursh in the first round (31st overall) of the 2013 MLB draft out of Oklahoma State University.

In 2016, Hursh pitched for the Mississippi Braves, the Gwinnett Braves and the Atlanta Braves. All appearances in 2016 were in relief. It looks as though this is the direction the Braves want to take with him.

This move seems appriotate as he’ll help the bullpen for Gwinnett in hopes of doing well to make the jump back up to the bigs.

Braves DL Moves

The Atlanta Braves also move pitchers Jacob Lindgren and Daniel Winkler to the 60-day disabled list.

Lindgren had TJS in August of 2016 and will miss the entire 2017 season. Most likely at this time next year, he’ll be competing for a roster spot in ST.

Winkler fractured his right elbow in April of 2016 and is trying to make his way back to the field. THe Braves are taking it slow with him, but reports are that he’s throwing. Hopefully he can return to Atlatna at some point this summer.

Next: Ranking The Five Best Trades of the Braves Rebuild

Rosters As The Stand Right Now

The Braves now have three, yes three open roster spots on the 40-man roster! What’s GM John Coppolella going to do?!?

Here are the pitchers still left in camp

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Here are the positional players still left in camp

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