With this morning’s cuts of Ozhaino Albies, Dansby Swanson, Aaron Blair, and Mallex Smith, the Atlanta Braves were seemingly trimming the fat of the roster of the future to help bring together the shape of the Opening Day 2016 roster. The Braves have taken another step towards that by returning left handed pitcher Evan Rutckyj to the New York Yankees.
Rutckyj was taken from the Yankees in this year’s Rule 5 draft on December 10th of 2015. Braves beat writer Mark Bowman confirmed the press release that was made by the Yankees.
The #Braves sent Rule 5 Draft pick Evan Rutckyj back to the Yankees https://t.co/kdAyev6QT2
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 18, 2016
The Rule 5 draft initially cost the Braves $50k, as per Rule 5 draft rules, but they will now receive $25k in relief in return for the Yankees agreeing to take him back. But bigger than the relatively slight salary relief, the return of Rutckyj will clear a 40 man roster spot for one of the Braves many potential non-roster bullpen candidates. It’s likely Alex Torres, as the Braves don’t have very many left-handed options available with the reassigning of Matt Marksberry and the injury to Andrew McKirahan. Other non-roster pitchers currently with a shot at the bullpen include Alexi Ogando and Carlos Torres, with Jhoulys Chacin also competing for a rotation spot. The bullpen logjam was a very glaring issue, as Daniel Winkler is also a Rule 5 selection who needs at least 90 days on the 25 man roster to begin the season, alongside Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson, and Arodys Vizcaino.
The shape of the bullpen is looking a bit clearer now. And at least us writers won’t have to pause every time we have to type the name Rutckyj. Although we still do have A.J. Pierzynski and Mike Foltynewicz to worry about, but at least I already have those memorized.