The 2024 Major League Baseball season is finally upon us. It has been an interesting offseason, to say the least, as some of the top free agents just signed with teams in the last two weeks. However, the Atlanta Braves have pretty much known their team for a couple of months.
Despite Atlanta's first game of the season being pushed back a day due to inclement weather, the Braves still decided to release the 26-man roster on Thursday afternoon. However, there's been little mystery as to what the final roster construction would be. That decision had pretty much been made during the last week of Spring Training.
There was one surprise addition and that was Jesse Chavez being signed on a minor league deal. Chavez was released by the White Sox after he dealt with a tough Spring. He ended up replacing Jackson Stephens who was expected to be the Braves long relief option this year.
Stephens was outrighted to Triple-A but he decided to elect free agency instead after this decision was made. He had a good Spring and deserves the chance to find a place on a big-league roster.
Atlanta Braves release roster ahead of Opening Day
Below you will find the list of position players and pitchers for the 2024 Atlanta Braves.
Your 2024 Atlanta Braves Opening Day Roster! pic.twitter.com/A1XwB05OOT
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 28, 2024
Catchers:
Travis d'Arnaud
Sean Murphy
Infielders:
Ozzie Albies
Orlando Arcia
Luis Guillorme
Matt Olson
Austin Riley
Outfielders:
Ronald Acuña Jr.
Adam Duvall
Michael Harris II
Jarred Kelenic
Forrest Wall
Designated Hitter:
Marcell Ozuna
Starting Pitchers:
Max Fried
Reynaldo López
Charlie Morton
Chris Sale
Spencer Strider
Relief Pitchers:
Aaron Bummer
Jesse Chavez
Raisel Iglesias
Joe Jiménez
Pierce Johnson
Dylan Lee
Tyler Matzek
A.J. Minter
No surprises here outside of Chavez being added over Stephens. Everyone else was pretty much expected to make the roster. Early on in Spring, we thought there would be a battle for the fifth starter spot and the fourth outfield spot.
That lasted for a good bit but Lopez pitched really well and earned that final spot in the rotation. Wall was the frontrunner for the fourth outfield spot for a while and still gets rewarded with a spot on the bench. However, his role will be more limited since the Braves added Adam Duvall to the roster.
The Atlanta Braves are extremely lucky to have one of the most talented rosters in baseball. They have one of the most complete teams. The bench depth looks great and they have a great starting rotation. Relief pitching may be the one area that needs to be improved throughout the season but even then, they have great options currently.
Fans will get to see the 2024 Braves in action on Friday afternoon as the first game of the season was postponed due to inclement weather in the area on Thursday. Spencer Strider faces off with Zach Wheeler at Citizens Bank Park starting at 3:05 PM EST.