The Atlanta Braves filled the vacancy on the 28-man active roster, but haven’t changed the 40-man roster yet even as fans demand it.
Towards the end of yesterday’s post, I noted that the 28-man roster had an opening and wondered what that meant. This afternoon we found the answer when the Atlanta Braves recalled Alex Jackson.
Jackson’s addition gives the Braves three catchers allowing manager Brian Snitker to use one of the regular catchers as a pinch hitter or DH.
Of special note: Jackson’s recall also seems to dim hopes of a quick return for Nick Markakis, Ozzie Albies, or Ronald Acuna Jr. from the IL.
The team will hold Markakis out until there’s no potential for the spread of COVID-19 after his return. The latest news on the Braves top-of-the-lineup duo is “no news”.
Albies could return at any time, but his wrist was sore after a hitting session earlier this week, and the club won’t risk the future of their roster by rushing Ozzie or Acuna back in a season as volatile as this one.
Albies (wrist) had 3 days off since last hitting session, as planned. Snitker said he'll talk to trainer shortly but expect him to be closer toward return. But doesn't sound like return of he or Acuña (wrist) is imminent, though both progressing.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 21, 2020
Snitker said Acuña hasn't started swinging bat yet, but indicated that could happen as soon as Saturday. No timetable for return, has to see how he does swinging bat first.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 21, 2020
The Atlanta Braves played without the third catcher or 28th man for a week. If any of the injured players were close to returning this weekend, Jackson would still suit up at Gwinnett.
Snit on adding Alex Jackson: "hopefully, we're caught up on our pitching. With the rain out, off days, we're covered in there. It's an easy move, he's on the roster. We'll bring him up, if something happens, you've got the extra player and it just happens to be a catcher"
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) August 21, 2020
The Cole Hamels situation doesn’t appear near resolution either. In Mark Bowman’s mailbag edition Thursday, he asked manager Brian Snitker if Hamels was cleared to throw off the mound now or by September first and if he’d have enough time to stretch out enough to make a start.
"“That I don’t know,” Snitker said. “I hope so.”"
Even if Hamels begins throwing off the mound next week, it’s hard to imagine him working up to 75 pitches in time to make even a five-inning start. So, until something happens, we’ll continue to see the Braves winging it with starters not named Max Fried.
Speaking of starting pitching, what’s the probability of a trade?