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The Braves have optioned relief pitchers A.J. Minter and Chad Sobotka down to Triple-A Gwinnett. This leaves 52 players remaining on the Braves’ spring training roster. The club announced these moves on Monday afternoon.
The #Braves today optioned LHP A.J. Minter and RHP Chad Sobotka to Triple-A Gwinnett. The club now has 52 players on the spring training roster.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 9, 2020
Minter entered the 2019 season as the team’s presumptive closer after a great 2018 season, but never seemed to get right after being in a car accident before the season, and was eventually sent down mid-season. He was seen as unlikely to make the opening roster, but given his talent level and that the bullpen is somewhat low on lefties, it was possible.
Sobotka, like Minter, had a good 2018 season and entered the 2019 season with high hopes, but performed badly, putting up a 6.21 ERA in 29.0 innings. Sobotka was not seen as likely to make the roster out of spring training after his bad season last year, but he is a talented pitcher with good stuff, so if he can figure out his command, he could work his way back up to Atlanta in the future.