Braves trim roster, release Rodriguez

By foxsports
Published

The Atlanta Braves made three moves on Friday to chop their spring roster to 34 players. Among the moves made was reassigning pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to minor league camp and releasing catcher Jesus Flores and pitcher Wandy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was leading the Braves this spring in innings pitched (23) and strikeouts (23) and sported a 2-0 record with a 3.13 ERA. He was considered the front runner for one of the vacant spots in Atlanta's rotation.

But the Braves added starting pitcher Trevor Cahill on Thursday via a trade with the Diamondbacks, apparently rendering Rodriguez obsolete.

Atlanta's rotation to begin the season now seems set through four spots: Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Shelby Miller and Cahill. Either Eric Stults or Mike Foltynewicz will win the role of fifth starter.

According to Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan, manager Fredi Gonzalez expects the final roster to be set on Saturday, a day prior to the major league deadline.