Atlanta – Pablo Sandoval has created the opening day roster for the Atlanta Braves.
The team made the move on Saturday to complete its 26-man roster, including the selection of a 34-year-old non-roster invitee contract this spring.
The two-time All-Star and 2012 World Series MVP is looking to bring her career to life in a bench role with the Braves. The switch-hitter took his place with a strong spring with Tu, hitting .429 with four RBIs in-bat.
The Braves, who opened the season in Philadelphia on Thursday, also picked the contracts of two other non-roster players: infielder Ahir Adrianza and reliever Net Jones.
Infielder Jason Kipnis was trying to make the two-time All-Star invite the Braves to a non-roster.
In addition, the team promoted outfielder Abraham Elmonte to an alternate training site, hired outfielder Philip Irwin for the assignment and put pitcher Touki Toussaint on the 60-day injury list with right shoulder strain.
Sandowal, whose contract will be upgraded to one million, 1 million deals a year, hit .214 at 84 at Bates in 2020 with the Braves and the San Francisco Giants. Added to Atlanta’s postseason roster, it remained heatless in the four-plate presentation. Brave came within a game to reach the World Series.
The Braves hope that Sandowal can return to the form he showed in 2019, when he hit .268 with 14 homers for the Giants.
Adrianza claimed to open one more on the Atlanta bench by hitting .412 in spring training, with two homers in the game on Friday and a high 12 RBI in the team.
Versatile, the 31-year-old Venezuelan, who previously played with San Francisco and Minnesota, will provide depth depth primarily on shortshots behind Densby Swanson. Adrianza has played other innovative positions as well as outfields throughout his career.
Jones is the second non-roster player to impress the Braves this spring. The 35-year-old right-hander allowed just one run out of seven appearances covering 1-3- 1-3 innings and surrendered three hits with one move.
Jones played eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox before moving to Cincinnati last season, where he went 0-1 with a 6.27 ERA in 21 appearances.
Brave Wilson will start with just four starters on his pitching staff after making an alternative to what is expected to be a two-week stay at an alternative training venue.
The Braves will not use the fifth starter on their first pass by rotation. Wilson will likely make his first start on April 13 by beating Kyle Wright for a fifth starter spot.
Mike Soroka will start the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from torn Achilles.
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