The 2014 25-man Roster… a Work in Progress

Mar 25, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher

(53) speaks with manager

(33) as he comes out of the game with a right elbow sprain during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Never in recently memory can I recall an Opening Day roster that would be in so much turmoil.  So much so, that the Braves opted to withhold any announcements until today… and even then we may not be entirely sure.  Watch this space throughout the day, and we’ll use it to keep up with those who make the club… and other news [hint: we’ve lost ANOTHER pitcher for the year].

[see end of post for updates]

Locks for the 25-man list

Here’s the safe bets:

• Chris Johnson
• Andrelton Simmons
• Dan Uggla
• Freddie Freeman
• Evan Gattis
• Gerald Laird
• Ryan Doumit
• Justin Upton
• B.J. Upton
• Jason Heyward
• Jordan Schafer
• Ramiro Pena

• Julio Teheran
• Ervin Santana
• Alex Wood
• Aaron Harang
• Craig Kimbrel
• David Carpenter
• Jordan Walden
• Luis Avilan

There’s the first twenty names… five more to go… and here’s 2 of them below:

News About Others

  Unfortunately, there more to it than just that…

Yes, THREE pitchers with Tommy John surgery in a single month.  This is really getting absurd.   Meanwhile, Ian Thomas is slated to get his shot with Atlanta along with Ryan Buchter:

The Braves had already placed Kris Medlen on the 60-day DL to make a space for Aaron Harang.  They will need to do likewise with Brandon Beachy to make room for Thomas (Buchter was already on the 40-man).  In the event of another roster move, Cory Gearrin can also be placed on the 60-day list (though likely not until that 2nd opinion is conducted – which wouldn’t occur until early next week).

Three more roster spots

At this time, I am not listing Anthony Varvaro, Gus Schlosser, David Hale, Philip Gosselin, or Tyler Pastornicky.  Normally we’d already have indications for these players, but the fact is… the pitching is in such a condition that Frank Wren and Fredi Gonzalez could almost do anything at this point – the needs are that great.  Thus we’re going to wait on the announcements before speculating too far afield.  Note this, though:

That statement notwithstanding, it’s also noteworthy that Thomas hasn’t been added to the 40-man list yet… Frank doesn’t make any roster move until he absolutely has to – just in case. Also:  I’m personally listing Varvaro as a “maybe” guy for two key reasons:  (a) his velocity has been way down; (b) his Spring ERA has been way up.  He could also be hurt, but nothing has been said about him.  If he somehow doesn’t make the 25-man list, though, the Braves could lose him via waivers since he is out of options to be reassigned to the minors.  If there had been more, healthier bodies around, my call is that he’d be outrighted to Gwinnett… and then the Braves wouldn’t care if he were lost to another club.  But at this point… well, you know.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:

  (skipping some of the obvious ones…)

So there we go:  Pastornicky, Hale, Schlosser, Buchter, and Thomas.  Varvaro does make it… hope he’s okay.  There’s your opening day roster… with changes still coming!

Go get ’em, boys.