This Spring Training, there weren’t many position battles for the Braves. That is the result of having the majority of a roster with 100+ wins from the previous season return.
There was competition for the fifth position in the rotation, but Reynaldo Lopez always appeared ready to receive the initial call up because Bryce Elder and the other young arms had alternatives.
At the bottom of the bullpen, Ray Kerr and Ken Giles were among the opponents that Tyler Matzek, Jackson Stephans, and Dylan Lee defeated.
There weren’t many storylines either. The only noteworthy stories were regarding Spencer Strider’s new curveball and Jared Kelenic’s adjustments at the plate. But there was a tiny underdog narrative simmering away.
Charlie Culberson, who is beloved in Braves Country, was attempting to do something that you only see in Disney movies, becoming a reliever after years of work as a super utility player.
Braves release Clutch
Sadly, the 35-year-old was released by the Braves on Thursday after he signed a minor league contract with Atlanta and played in three spring training games. He threw a shutout inning in his first outing, but the next two innings saw him allow six earned runs. Because of the organization’s extreme pitching depth, it was always unlikely that Culberson would succeed as a reliever, but it was nevertheless exciting to speculate, “What if?”
With the Braves having just finalized their 26-man roster a week ago, this move gives Culberson the opportunity to maybe emerge from a bullpen or off the bench for another team in 2024.
In any case, Charlie Clutch will always be cherished in Braves Country.