Atlanta Braves release infielder Mat Gamel due to knee injury

Apr 22, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Mat Gamel (24) drives in a run with a double in the fourth inning against Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez (55) at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier in the 2014 off-season, the Atlanta Braves picked up former top-shelf prospect Mat Gamel after injury concerns troubled him in the early stages of his career in Milwaukee. However, multiple outlets are reporting that the team has chosen to part ways with Gamel before the season even begins.

Both David O’Brien of the AJC and Mark Bowman of MLB.com are reporting that Gamel has been let go after reinjuring his knee earlier in the week during personal workouts. This is incredibly unfortunate for Gamel, simply because he’s already undergone two separate ACL surgeries in the last two seasons, and this could very well spell in the end of his MLB career.

There was a segment of the Braves fan base who was vocally supporting this pick-up (admittedly, I was one of them) based on his long pedigree of power potential, but this is the downside of this type of “scrap heap” pick-up. The 28-year-old Gamel may not be forced into retirement by this injury, but it is a certainty that he won’t be appearing for the Braves anytime in the near future.