A headline that made national news over the weekend as the Braves swept the Rockies was an unfortunate one for all parties involved. On Father’s Day, Alex Anthopoulos was forced to DFA Charlie Culberson, whose dad was scheduled to throw out the opening pitch. Beyond that, Culberson’s entire family was in attendance.
This has sparked a bit of outrage from many in Braves Country. Culberson is a well-known fan favorite for what he’s done for the club in the past, despite never appearing for the Braves in a game this season. He was nothing more than a placeholder on the roster that was going to be designated for assignment when the Braves needed to make room for another player. Unfortunately, that time came on Father’s Day.
Sean Murphy left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury. Thankfully, the Braves do not feel it is serious enough for him to be put on the IL, but because of that, they had to make room for a backup catcher. Chadwick Tromp was called up the next day, and in a corresponding move, Culberson was designated for assignment.
Listen, I love Culberson as much as the next guy, and I’m sure Alex Anthopoulos didn’t feel terrific making this decision, but this is a business at the end of the day, and the Braves didn’t have another choice. They had to call up Chadwick Tromp as a reserve catcher. They couldn’t wait and just play a game with only one catcher so Culberson’s dad could throw out the first pitch. That’s not how this works, and nobody understands that more than Culberson. It was an unfortunate situation, but the Braves didn’t have any other options, and they made the necessary decision.
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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