We are less than a week away from the start of the 2020 MLB regular season and the Atlanta Braves opening day. It has been a long and winding road to get to this point. The Braves received good news this week when first baseman Freddie Freeman and right-hander Touki Toussaint were cleared to join the camp. Both had tested positive for COVID-19 during the team’s entrance exam.
There was also a bit of bad news. Yasiel Puig, who was expected to sign with Atlanta, also tested positive. So the firm is on hold, at least for now.
The Braves also made a couple of moves on the list on Saturday, selecting contracts from right-hander Josh Tomlin and first baseman Yonder Alonso. His additions give Atlanta a complete list of 40 men at the moment. Tomlin was expected to earn a spot in a relay role in multiple innings and could even serve as a starter in certain situations. Alonso was a little more surprising, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Alonso’s contract likely contains an opt-out option that would have been activated on Saturday, as several other league players were released in similar situations. Atlanta has few left-handed bats and his presence gives the team another first-base option behind Freeman. The Braves could still release him if they come to terms with one of those other players who was recently released.
With that as a backdrop, here is my final prediction for the opening day list. Remember, the roster will start with 30 players and will decrease over the course of the season.
Jugs (16)
Mike Foltynewicz, Max Fried, Shane Greene, Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, Mark Melancon, AJ Minter, Sean Newcomb, Darren O’Day, Mike Soroka, Josh Tomlin, Touki Toussaint, Jacob Webb, Patrick Weigel, Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright
I pushed to try to include 17 pitchers, but eventually settled on 16. The Braves will still have some flexibility and could trade some players if they need a new arm. This group has few left-handed relievers, but I’m not convinced that Grant Dayton or Tyler Matzek or Chris Rusin have done enough to earn a place. Matzek had absurd statistics in 4 two⁄3 Spring Training innings (10 strikeouts among 15 batters battling), but that feels like decades ago at this point.
Starter Cole Hamels and reliever Will Smith are missing from this group. Hamels struggled with a shoulder problem during spring training and has slowed down during the first part of summer camp. You haven’t launched a live BP session yet. Brian Snitker acknowledged earlier this week that there was not enough time for Hamels to prepare and be included on the Opening Day list. Smith was among the four players who tested positive for COVID-19 during the entrance exam. The last report was that he was asymptomatic, so we can assume that he has been shooting and that it will not take long to be ready once he is cleared to return to camp. However, you need two negative tests that are 24 hours apart for them to be removed and we have no way of knowing when that might happen. It can’t be ruled out entirely for the Opening Day list, but the clock is ticking.
Collectors (2)
Travis d’Arnaud, Tyler Flowers
Many screenings had the Braves with three receivers, but I don’t think it’s necessary as they could simply promote Alex Jackson or William Contreras if an injury occurred.
Infielders (8)
Ozzie Albies, Yonder Alonso, Johan Camargo, Freddie Freeman, Adeiny Hechavarria, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Charlie Culberson *
There are no real surprises among the group of infielders. Alonso is here as I don’t think they will add him to the 40 men and then leave him off the opening day list. Charlie Culberson takes last place on my list as a utility player, but will need to be added to the 40-man list. With some players making it to free agency, there’s a small chance this list could be rearranged if the Braves choose to trade one of these players, like Alonso or Culberson, for someone who was recently available.
Gardeners (4)
Ronald Acuña Jr, Adam Duvall, Ender Inciarte, Marcell Ozuna
Nor surprises in the open field group. Acuña and Ozuna should play Inciarte and Duvall every day in a squad situation. Austin Riley, Johan Camargo and Culberson are others who theoretically could see time in the garden if necessary.
Injured List – Will Smith, Cole Hamels
