Atlanta Braves: Clearing up the pitching staff
The Atlanta Braves made moves to clear up what the pitching staff will look like on Saturday.
The Atlanta Braves made their final pitching roster moves on Saturday, setting their bullpen and opening rotation. Three pitchers were sent down to AAA and a veteran lefty was released.
Current Atlanta Braves staff
The starting rotation has four spots spoken for at this point. Julio Teheran will keep his spot at the front of the rotation, and he will be followed by Brandon McCarthy, Mike Foltynewicz, and Sean Newcomb.
The fifth starter job was a challenge among a number of pitchers, including Lucas Sims, Aaron Blair, Matt Wisler, Scott Kazmir, Luiz Gohara, and newly-signed Anibal Sanchez. Gohara has an injury that will keep him out until early May. With the 5th starter not needed until April 10th and Sanchez signed on a minor league deal, he could open in Gwinnett and come up for the first time the team needed him.
On Saturday, the Braves released Scott Kazmir, eating his $17.67M salary, which was not surprising as an end result after acquiring Kazmir in the trade that sent Matt Kemp to Los Angeles as a salary exchange between the Atlanta Braves and Dodgers.
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Also on Saturday, the Atlanta Braves sent down Sims, Blair, and Wisler, effectively ending their pursuit of both the starting rotation spot and bullpen spot.
In the bullpen, Arodys Vizcaino has the closer role locked down. The righties in the bullpen will be Peter Moylan, Jose Ramirez, and Daniel Winkler. Lefties Sam Freeman and A.J. Minter will be the key from the left side.
Right hander Shane Carle and lefty Rex Brothers will likely both make the team after today’s moves while Jacob Lindgren and Chase Whitley will open the season on the Disabled List.
Next: Braves should lock down Albies
While these are the pitchers that will begin the season for the Atlanta Braves at the major league level, there are plenty of pitchers in the minor leagues that could impact the pitching staff by the end of the season.