Expect Roster Cuts This Week

Pitching Anyone?

Headlines have surrounded the fifth starter slot from the beginning of spring training. Wandy Rodriguez was the favorite of the rumor mill in spite of his injury history. When Minor went down with a sore shoulder the talk morphed into the last two starter spots but bullpen slots are also up for grabs. Herewith the list.

Starters

The starting situation is still in flux. Folty seems to have pitched himself to Gwinnett leaving Martin, Stults and Rodriguez. Stults has pitched well enough – a 2.00 ERA –  but only has 5 IP. Cody Martin also has 5 IP with an ERA of 0.00 while Wandy has 4 IP and a 2.25 ERA . Common knowledge is Wandy still has the lead but Mark Bowman suggested yesterday that the Braves are concerned about the $2M contract that kicks in if he does.

Rodriguez elbow is arthritic and his hamstrings and back have been a problem for a few years. His problems last year resulted in the Pirates releasing him at the end of May so the Braves’ concern is justified. That concern might well see them opt to add Martin and Stults instead knowing that, as I wrote a few days ago, Martin is useful out of the pen as well as in relief.  The Braves won’t need a fifth starter until the second week in April at the earliest, that might also swing the decision in Martin’s direction.

Bullpen

Kimbrel, Grilli and Russell are locks while Outman and Avilan fight over the second lefty spot and Johnson, Vizcaino. Jaime, Wang and Coffey look to be right handed options. Frankly so little has been seen from these guys that it’s going to depend on what the coaches have seen in their side work.

This is all supposition and speculation but I expect the final four to be Johnson, Vizcaino, Outman and Jaime or Cunniff or maybe Avilan.  Avilan and Jaime are out of options and Jaime hasn’t yet found his control while Cunniff is young and inexperienced but has pitched well.