Feb 27, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; The Braves today released pitcher Wirfin Obispo seen here pitching against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium this February. The move cleared room on 40 man roster for Shae Simmons who was called up today. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
In order to call up Shae Simmons they had to add him to their 40 man roster, that meant someone had to go. Mark Bowman tweets that the man to go was Wirfin Obispo who’s been designated for assignment.
The 29 year old Obispo threw 19 1/3 innings in relief for Gwinnett this season with a 4.66 ERA and 1.500 WHIP The hard-throwing Obispo started out in the Reds organization back in 2006 but moved to Japan in 2007 and stayed until 2011. In 2012 he rejoined the Reds pitching for their AA team in Pensacola before moving up to AAA Louisville. Last season at Gwinnett he threw 63 2/3 innings over 54 games while posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.272 WHIP. That was good enough for him the Braves to add him to the 40-man roster this spring. Obispo may now either accept assignment and remain in the Braves organization or become a minor league free agent.