Atlanta Braves Opening Day Roster Set; Venters To Start Season On Disabled List

The Atlanta Braves opening day roster appears to be set. The last piece of the puzzle concerned what the team would do with two out of options relievers and only one available bullpen spot. That question seems to have been answered by the apparent injury to reliever Jonny Venters.

Reports are out this morning that Everyday Jonny will go see Dr. James Andrews next Wednesday to have the discomfort in his elbow examined. Venters had Tommy John surgery six years ago while he was a minor leaguer, so the hope is that there is some other impingement that can be fixed without having to undergo another major TJ surgery.

With Venters out, that means both Cristhian Martinez and Anthony Varvaro will make the opening day roster as members of the bullpen. They join Evan Gattis, who was informed yesterday that he had made the team, and Jordan Schafer, who was informed earlier this week he made the team, as the winners of the spring position battles.

Since Venters has gone through Tommy John surgery before, his feeling is that this injury is not that severe. Though hard to diagnose injuries can be just as daunting to overcome (see the Rafael Soriano injury from several years ago when he was on the Braves).

The season starts Monday night at Turner Field! Here is your 2013 Atlanta Braves opening day roster:

Projected opening day lineup:

1. Andrelton Simmons, SS
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Justin Upton, LF
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. B.J. Upton, CF
6. Dan Uggla, 2B
7. Chris Johnson, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C

Starting rotation:

1. Tim Hudson
2. Paul Maholm
3. Kris Medlen
4. Mike Minor
5. Julio Teheran

Bullpen: Craig Kimbrel, Eric O'Flaherty, Jordan Walden, Luis Avilan, Cory Gearrin, Anthony Varvaro, Cristhian Martinez

Bench: Reed Johnson (OF), Juan Francisco (3B), Ramiro Pena (INF), Evan Gattis (C), Jordan Schafer (OF)

On the disabled list: Brian McCann, Jonny Venters