Braves cut/option six players, move closer to Opening Day roster

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Ryan Buchter (66)  Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves made 6 more roster moves today to get their roster down to 29, just 4 away from what the 25 man opening day roster will be.

Freddy Garcia was obviously the biggest surprise on the cut line today. He was cut outright and is now a free agent. All the other Braves moves were to send guys down to minor league teams. Outfielders Joey Terdoslovich and Jose Constanza and lefty reliever Ryan Buchter were all optioned down to AAA Gwinnett. Infielders Tyler Greene and Tommy La Stella were both reassigned to minor league camp.

These cuts tell us a couple of things. Tyler Greene being cut basically means that the Braves were comfortable enough with Tyler Pastornicky coming back from his injury to start the season with the big league club. It’s a good trade-off, cause Greene isn’t very good, and Pastor is a much better option. I’m surprised that Ryan Buchter couldn’t grab that lefty spot out of the pen, but he really hasn’t performed well enough this spring to earn it. You would have to think that Ian Thomas will get that spot now. We will eventually see both Terdoslovich and Constanza in Atlanta at some point this season.

The Garcia cut is the one that is sticking out to most people. Atlanta now has 3 healthy starters to open the season with since Mike Minor, Ervin Santana and Gavin Floyd will all be delayed from the rotation for at least a couple of weeks. That leaves the Braves with Julio Teheran, Alex Wood and David Hale. Many are speculating that Gus Schlosser will be the Braves forth starter for at least the first couple of weeks of the season until others become available.

Schlosser has appeared in 5 games this spring, starting 2 and has pitched really well. In his 13.1 innings, he has a 2.03 ERA with 13 Ks and 5 walks, only allowing 7 hits. It is risky, though, since Schlosser has never pitched an inning above AA, but I can’t imagine he could be any worse than an aged Freddy Garcia. Personally, I would rather save the $1.5 million they would have given Garcia and roll the dice with Schlosser.

Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.