Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Box, Roster Moves

Braves starting pitcher

(61) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Braves Make Several Roster Moves in Wake of Trade

We’re a little late on this, but that’s been due to the trade deadline and its nuttiness.

Atlanta took five players off the 40-man roster yesterday with that trade:  Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan, Bronson Arroyo, and Jose Peraza.

Hector Olivera was added to the roster, along with Paco Rodriguez, both acquired in the trade.  Zachary Bird does not require 40-man roster protection at this time.  Rodriguez is on the 60-day disabled list, so he does not count against the limit of 40 players.

Meanwhile, Atlanta recalled Jake Brigham and Ryan Kelly from Gwinnett.  Brigham threw the last two pitches for the Braves in last night’s loss to Philadelphia, getting the last out in the 8th inning.

Atlanta also selected the contract of Matt Marksberry from Gwinnett.  Let’s talk about him for a sec:

Marksberry is 24 (25 next month) and was a 15th round draft pick in 2013 by the Braves.  His rise through the organization has been quite remarkable.

• 2013:  Rookie short-season ball, 5.08 ERA
• 2014:  Rome (primarily):  3.55 ERA in 22 starts there.
• 2015: 2.78 ERA in 22 relief appearances at Carolina, then 2.61 skipping AA and going straight to Gwinnett (10 innings, walking virtually no one).

This quick promotion to the majors is nonetheless surprising, and we’ll have to see how he does seeing major league hitters for the first time, as he’s clearly now had much time to get acclimated to each new level.

Matt is a lefty from Cincinnati, standing 6’1″.  He attended Campbell University in North Carolina before being drafted.  He’s not going to impress the radar gun, but it getting hitters out… and that will play at any level.

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This morning, Ryan Kelly was optioned back to Gwinnett (again) to make room for Williams Perez, who was activated.  He is slated to make the start tonight vs. Philadelphia in Game 2 of this series.

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There are now 45 names on the 40-man roster, of which 36 “count” against the 40-man limit.  Here’s the breakdown:

• 26 pitchers, 7 of which are on the extended (60-day) DL with one (Manny Banuelos) on the 15-day list.
• 3 catchers
• 10 infielders (Elmer Reyes is on the restricted list)
• 6 outfielders (Dian Toscano is [still] on the restricted list)