Opening Day Roster Official

[rico43]

The surprise: five-man bench, including Recker.

PITCHERS

RHPs Josh Collmenter, Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, Mike Foltynewicz, Jim Johnson, Jose Ramirez, Chaz Roe, Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino; LHPs Jaime Garcia, Ian Krol and Eric O'Flaherty

CATCHERS:

Tyler Flowers, Anthony Recker and Kurt Suzuki

INFIELDERS

Chase d'Arnaud, Freddie Freeman, Adonis Garcia, Jace Peterson, Brandon Phillips and Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS

Emilio Bonifacio, Ender Inciarte, Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis

Cabrera and Rivero go onto 10-day DL.

David Hernandez assigned to Gwinnett

[nsacpi]

Looks like the plan is to rely on "Mac" Suzuki for pinch hitting duty.

[rico43]

Looks like the plan is to rely on "Mac" Suzuki for pinch hitting duty.

How many of these have you posted over the years? If she weren't resting in peace, I swear to God you were my mother posting from the back seat.

Name fixed, which I'm sure was the point of your humorous sarcasm.

[nsacpi]

How many of these have you posted over the years? If she weren't resting in peace, I swear to God you were my mother posting from the back seat.

Name fixed, which I'm sure was the point of your humorous sarcasm.

hey sometimes these typos stick...i think I'm gonna run with it

[Braves1976]

We went with a 5 man bench and somehow came up with as bad a 5-man bench as one could make given all the available options we passed on. Also, I hope our starters are left in longer more this year as you know you have a bad bullpen when you go over the list and think EOF might be best option.

[rico43]

We went with a 5 man bench and somehow came up with as bad a 5-man bench as one could make given all the available options we passed on. Also, I hope our starters are left in longer more this year as you know you have a bad bullpen when you go over the list and think EOF might be best option.

Toronto cut Melvin Upton Jr. today. If he clears waivers, then the Braves could sign him for the minimum -- which to me would be sweet irony, as well as an upgrade over the cockroach -- aka Emilio (Refuse to Die) Bonifacio.

[Braves1976]

Toronto cut Melvin Upton Jr. today. If he clears waivers, then the Braves could sign him for the minimum -- which to me would be sweet irony, as well as an upgrade over the cockroach -- aka Emilio (Refuse to Die) Bonifacio.

I kinda doubt they'd bring Melvin Upton Jr back, but it sounds like he could end up in Detroit. However, he actually would make some sense as he is a RHH CF back-up option who has a good arm and he can steal bases at a good rate too. Personally, I figure our best case now is finding a deal with Pagan that both sides are happy with (and that is assuming the Braves haven't moved on totally since deciding on this bench).

DOB response on the Upton question:

David O'Brien‏Verified account @DOBrienAJC 3h3 hours ago

No. N. O. No.

[msstate7]

Who will be the first to be replaced? I'll go with chase

[msstate7]

Looks like the plan is to rely on "Mac" Suzuki for pinch hitting duty.

It'll be recker. His .828 ops was no accident last season... he'll be pushing .900 this year. He's one of those rare guys that really break through at age 34

[CyYoung31]

3 catchers? Does Snitker know that we haven't made the postseason yet?

[nsacpi]

3 catchers? Does Snitker know that we haven't made the postseason yet?

if you gonna carry 3 you need to manage to take advantage of it...and that should at times involve pinch running for the catcher

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

if you gonna carry 3 you need to manage to take advantage of it...and that should at times involve pinch running for the catcher

With another catcher. Got it.

[nsacpi]

With another catcher. Got it.

Bonifacio & D'Arnaud

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

Bonifacio & D'Arnaud

Yeah, I know what you meant. I was trying to joke around like msstate7.

Though I haven't timed Recker to first base...He may be faster than Bonifacio (jk).

[Millwood1Hitter]

Slightly off topic but where's Kris Medlen been this spring. I realize it's a long shot of him ever making an impact at the major league level ever again but man am I cheering for that guy to do well and get back up to the big show and hopefully do well. But I don't think he made an appearance this spring.

[bravesfanMatt]

Slightly off topic but where's Kris Medlen been this spring. I realize it's a long shot of him ever making an impact at the major league level ever again but man am I cheering for that guy to do well and get back up to the big show and hopefully do well. But I don't think he made an appearance this spring.

Cut. Still was hurt or not getting better. Dude is done.

[msstate7]

What's the latest on pagan?

[Braves1976]

What's the latest on pagan?

Hard to say, Bowman has acted like we've never been that interested in him and haven't talked with him in weeks but other reports including one citing an unnamed source within the organization said we were still talking and interested. But this last report was before we set the roster so who knows if we've moved on from him. This was from March 31st: @JimBowden_ESPN Atlanta Braves still in on Angel Pagan according to club source

That said, there have been plenty of options on waivers that we could've had for nothing to improve this bench. One thing is for sure, everyone seems to agree that this bench is terrible. I just listened to the latest Braves podcast at TalkingChop and they also called it the worst bench in MLB and the first few posters at MLB.com after it was announced stated this might be the worst bench they've seen the Braves put out in a long time and I cannot say I disagree. The main theme I hear is no one on this bench can hit much if at all, Jace being the best bat and that is if you need a lefty bat vs a righty and he's weak vs lefties.

[blueagleace1]

My big question was why not put a claim in on Clint Robinson?

A.) LHH with some power (seems like Babe Ruth compared to what our current power options off the bench are)
B.) Can play both corner outfield spots as well as first base
C.) Gets him off of Washington's roster

[FreemanFan]

I noticed Dansby Swanson has switched uniform numbers from 2 to the cursed 7. I know that was his number at Vanderbilt, but I hope the move doesn't doom him. The list of Braves who have worn #7 is sad, especially the prospects who crashed and burned. Dansby has better skills than any of previous #7s, so I hope he can reverse the curse.