Atlanta Braves: Blaine Boyer Will Not Make Roster
By Kit Anderson
Blaine Boyer has been competing for a bullpen spot in Atlanta Braves camp but was recently told by the front office he will not make the team.
The Atlanta Braves bullpen competition hasn’t gone as planned this Spring with relievers struggling including Boyer. Boyer. Boyer came into camp with a good chance to make the roster but after struggling for the majority of the spring was told he will not make the Braves opening day roster.
Boyer is expected to report to the Braves’ AAA team if he cannot secure a Major League job before the end of the spring. The Braves bullpen looks to be a unit that could head in either direction easily with upside arms that could just as easily fail.
Jim Johnson is the projected closer, the veteran seems to have found a home with the Braves. The veteran closer spent the early part of his career as the Orioles closer making the All-star team and becoming one of the most elite closers in Major League Baseball at the time. Since then Johnson has struggled anywhere besides Atlanta.
The bullpen after Johnson is less clear with a mix and match group that may include former Brave Eric O’Flaherty who is still looking to regain the form he once had as a member of the Braves’ bullpen. If Johnson can continue to pitch well and O’Flaherty can bounce back the Braves bullpen will be better than expecting.
The decision to cut Boyer from that group was a good one considering the struggles that Boyer has had getting outs early in camp. The problem for the Braves is picking who should make the bullpen considering how few relievers have looked good in camp.
As of now the projected bullpen is: Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, Ian Krol, Paco Rodriguez, Mauricio Cabrera (if healthy),Eric O’Flaherty, Josh Collmenter, with the last spot coming down to Jose Ramirez or Chaz Roe.
Next: Braves Off-season Targets
The eight-man pen is expected to be carried at least thru April unless the Braves make a trade that changes the bench depth currently on the roster. The Braves have one week of spring training left before making their final roster decisions.