Braves: Contreras & Camargo optioned, opening day roster almost set

It looks like the Braves have their opening squad ready to go to Philly.

#Braves will option Johan Camargo and William Contreras and open the season with a bench of Ehire Adrianza, Pablo Sandoval, Ender Inciarte and Alex Jackson. They'll carry an extra reliever and Huascar Ynoa makes the team and will be a candidate for the "opener" start in Game 6.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 27, 2021

 

Snitker did say that the team would likely use a fifth starter the second time through the rotation. It looks like the rotation will look like this:

Rotation

1. Max Fried
2. Charlie Morton
3. Ian Anderson
4. Drew Smyly

I guess the Braves don’t trust Wilson or Wright to start the season, even after their postseason performances, or perhaps they want to let them gain some momentum in AAA while the season gets started. A mid-April return hasn’t been ruled out for Mike Soroka, but I’d prefer to not rush him back into action. It’s still possible Wilson or Wright comes up after the first time through the rotation/

 

Lineup

1. Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF)
2. Ozzie Albies (2B)
3. Freddie Freeman (1B)
4. Marcell Ozuna (LF)
5. Travis d’Arnaud (C)
6. Dansby Swanson (SS)
7. Austin Riley (3B)
8. Cristian Pache (CF)
9. Pitcher’s Spot

 

Nothing has really changed with the lineup, and I expect this to hold strong.

 

Bullpen

1. Will Smith
2. Chris Martin
3. A.J. Minter
4. Tyler Matzek
5. Nate Jones
6. Luke Jackson
7. Grant Dayton
8. Josh Tomlin
9. Huascar Ynoa
10. Sean Newcomb

Sean Newcomb is the only question mark that remains, the team may still bring in a veteran free agent. Newk is the logical in-house choice to take the tenth bullpen spot, and he’s likely a candidate to open a game or two. I’d prefer to keep him in the pen where he seems much more comfortable, so maybe that will be the case. No other major changes with the bullpen, outside of the addition of Huascar Ynoa. A ten man bullpen is interesting, but luckily most of these players have plenty of options. Brian Snitker may just want to ride out Mike Soroka’s injury and get him back without using any options for now.

 

Bench

1. Alex Jackson
2. Ender Inciarte
3. Pablo Sandoval
4. Ehire Adrianza

This is a very questionable bench to start the season. Brian Snitker must believe in Alex Jackson’s defense, and Pablo Sandoval and Ehire Adrianza played well enough in the spring to make the team. I figured one of Johan Camargo or William Contreras could fight for a bench spot, but the Braves are rolling with the hot hands and defense. Ender Inciarte will serve as the reserve outfielder. These four will round out the 26-man roster, and depending on how well the Braves play to start 2021 — that could change quickly.