Atlanta Braves
NL East
The Braves have named Reynaldo Lopez as the team’s fifth starter. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Lopez has officially won the job after the team optioned Bryce Elder. The veteran allowed just two runs over 11 2/3 innings pitched this spring.
Braves SS Orlando Arcia underwent X-rays on his hand Sunday and they came back negative. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Arcia was hit by a pitch on the left hand Sunday. The team will determine next steps on Monday and Arcia should be considered day-to-day.
Category: Injury Updates
Outfielder Jarred Kelenic has been told he will platoon to the newly-signed Adam Duvall in left field this season. (Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Originally, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said he was leaning toward playing Kelenic every day in left field but he spring struggles have led to the Duvall signing. Kelenic is hitting just .088 without a homer so far in Cactus League action as his fantasy value takes a hit with the reduced playing time.
Tyler Matzek is reportedly day-to-day with left side tightness. (Source: MLB.com)
Fantasy Impact: Matzek was scratched after he was scheduled to appear in Saturday’s game against the Orioles. He is considered as day-to-day for now.
Category: Injury Updates
Ronald Acuna Jr. took live batting practice on Monday. (Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Braves manager Brian Snitker said they're waiting for medical staff to clear Acuna to resume playing. It appears he'll likely be fully healthy in plenty of time for the season barring any setbacks.
Category: Injury Updates
The Atlanta Braves signed Skye Bolt to a minor league deal.
Fantasy Impact: Bolt last played in the majors with the Athletics two years ago. He'll likely open the season in Triple-A with the Braves.
Category: Transactions
Max Fried is scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the Orioles. (Source: David O'Brien on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fried reportedly entered camp the "healthiest he has been" after dealing with injuries last season. He'll be looking to bounce back with a healthy season this year.
Spencer Strider is scheduled to start on Saturday for the Braves. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It will be the Grapefruit League debut for Strider after reportedly adjusting his pitch arsenal a bit this offseason. He'll remain one of the top strikeout pitchers in the majors.
Chris Sale threw live batting practice on Thursday. (Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Sale was said to have a fully healthy offseason after dealing with a number of injuries the past few seasons. That included undergoing Tommy John surgery. He'll look to remain healthy with the Braves this season.
Huascar Ynoa is reportedly fully healthy heading into camp. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2022. It is not clear what his role will be with Atlanta.
Category: Injury Updates
Sun, Jan 28th 2:33am EST
By Ari Koslow
Charlie Morton told reporters that his finger is fine and he’s healthy heading into the 2024 season. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Morton was sidelined during the postseason last year due to inflammation in his right index finger. He should find his way back in the middle of the starting rotation for the Braves this season.
Category: Injury Updates
Thu, Jan 11th 1:39pm EST
By Ari Koslow
A.J. Minter signed a one-year deal worth $6.22 million with the Braves to avoid arbitration. (Source: David O'Brien on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Minter will remain with Atlanta right before he was set to qualify for free agency. He should remain in a key role at the end of the bullpen for the Braves.
Category: Transactions
The Braves have traded INF Vaughn Grissom to the Red Sox in exchange for SP Chris Sale. (Source: Jeff Passan)
Fantasy Impact: Grissom appeared in 23 games last year for the Braves, slashing .280/.313/.347. His Triple-A numbers are encouraging for potential with regular at-bats, which he will presumably get at 2B/SS for Boston. Until he proves this, however, he is best left on waivers in all but the deepest leagues.
Category: Transactions
The Atlanta Braves have traded Evan White to the Los Angeles Angels. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: White lands back in the AL West after he was traded from the Mariners to the Braves. He will look to stay healthy and work his way up to the MLB with the Angels at some point.
Category: Transactions
The Los Angeles Angels traded Max Stassi to the Atlanta Braves. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Stassi hit .180 with nine home runs last season with the Angels. With Atlanta already having Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud, they plan on flipping Stassi as they did with Marco Gonzales and Evan White.
Category: Transactions
The Los Angeles Angels have traded David Fletcher to the Atlanta Braves. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fletcher will look to land a utility role with the Braves next season. He hit .247 across 97 at-bats this past year.
Category: Transactions
Thu, Dec 7th 2:57pm EST
By Ari Koslow
The Braves signed Angel Perdomo to a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract for the 2024 season. (Source: Atlanta Braves on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Atlanta made this move after sending Evan White outright to Triple-A Gwinnett. Perdomo underwent Tommy Johnson surgery in October so he probably won't be playing at all next season.
Category: Transactions
The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired Marco Gonzales in a trade from the Atlanta Braves. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Braves, who acquired Gonzales in the trade that got them Jarred Kelenic, now flip the veteran lefty to the Pirates for some cash and a player to be named later. Gonzales should provide some veteran leadership to the starting rotation for Pittsburgh as an innings eater.
Category: Transactions
The Atlanta Braves have traded Jackson Kowar to the Seattle Mariners. (Source: Ryan Divish on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The headliner of this trade was Atlanta acquiring Jarred Kelenic from the Mariners. Kowar was acquired in a trade to the Braves from the Royals in the middle of November.
Category: Transactions
The Atlanta Braves have traded Cole Phillips to the Seattle Mariners. (Source: Ryan Divish on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The headliner in this trade was Atlanta acquiring Jarred Kelenic. Phillips was the No. 7 prospect in the Braves farm system per MLB Pipeline.
Category: Injury Updates