Braves set Opening Day roster vs. Phillies

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Braves prepare to defend their National League East title, they will enter this season with 14 players who were not on the Opening Day roster last year.

There were no late surprises when the Braves announced their Opening Day roster a few hours before Thursday afternoon’s season opener against the Phillies. Outfielder Matt Joyce and right-handed reliever Josh Tomlin were the only inclusions who needed to be added to the 40-man roster. Catcher Raffy Lopez was designated for assignment to accommodate these additions.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Johan Camargo, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson, Max Fried, Chad Sobotka, Luke Jackson, Jesse Biddle and Wes Parsons are among the nine Braves players who are on an Opening Day roster for the first time.

These nine players join Brian McCann, Josh Donaldson, Jonny Venters, Tomlin and Joyce to account for the 14 players who were not on Atlanta’s 2018 Opening Day roster.

Mike Foltynewicz (right elbow bone spur), Kevin Gausman (right shoulder tendinitis), A.J. Minter (left shoulder inflammation) and Darren O’Day (right forearm strain) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list.

Here is the breakdown of this year’s Opening Day roster:

Catcher (2): Brian McCann, Tyler Flowers
What to expect: Manager Brian Snitker says he will not split the playing time 50/50. McCann got the Opening Day start, but neither of these catchers will likely flirt with making 100 starts behind the plate.

First base (1): Freddie Freeman
What to expect: Freeman will be making his eighth consecutive Opening Day start (an Atlanta record at first base). The 29-year-old veteran is also the only player in franchise history to log more than 10,000 innings at first base. If Snitker can convince him to take a day off, Camargo will don a first-base mitt.

Second base (1): Ozzie Albies
What to expect: Albies will bat in the leadoff spot against left-handed starters and attempt to prove more consistent when he sits in the sixth spot against right-handers. The switch-hitter recorded six hits in his final 13 at-bats from the left side this spring. Camargo needs at-bats, but the Braves need Albies’ dynamic presence in the lineup as often as possible.

Third base (1): Josh Donaldson
What to expect: If you haven’t heard, the back of his baseball card is one of the few that looks at least somewhat similar to Mike Trout’s. To keep the former American League MVP Award winner healthy, the Braves will occasionally place Camargo or Charlie Culberson at third base.

Shortstop (1): Dansby Swanson
What to expect: Swanson’s surgically repaired wrist appears healthy, and he exited Spring Training with an abundance of confidence. This could be a breakout season for the former first overall pick.

Outfield (4): Ronald Acuna Jr., Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, Matt Joyce
What to expect: Joyce was given a spot when the Braves acquired him to account for the desire to give Adam Duvall everyday at-bats with Triple-A Gwinnett. He can play center field if necessary, but Acuna will likely move to center on those days when Inciarte needs to rest.

Utility (2): Johan Camargo, Charlie Culberson
What to expect: Camargo will be available to be used everywhere other than center field and catcher. Culberson provides similar versatility. Snitker will need to be creative to ensure both get the at-bats necessary to remain potential bench assets.

Starting pitcher (5): Julio Teheran, Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright, Sean Newcomb, Max Fried
What to expect: Gausman is expected to return from the injured list late next week, and Foltynewicz could be activated a week later. Until then, the Braves will provide opportunities for Wilson and Wright, who have one combined start between them.

Relief pitcher (8): Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters, Jesse Biddle, Chad Sobotka, Shane Carle, Wes Parsons, Josh Tomlin, Luke Jackson
What changed:
Minter could be activated within the season’s first two full weeks, but it’s still too early to project when O’Day will be available. Tomlin, Parsons and Carle are each capable of providing the long-relief insurance necessary when carrying a young rotation. The primary long-term concern is the durability of Vizcaino’s right shoulder.

CATCHERS
Brian McCann
Tyler Flowers

INFIELDERS
Freddie Freeman
Ozzie Albies
Dansby Swanson
Josh Donaldson

OUTFIELDERS
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ender Inciarte
Nick Markakis
Matt Joyce

UTILITY PLAYERS
Charlie Culberson
Johan Camargo

STARTING PITCHERS
Julio Teheran
Bryse Wilson
Kyle Wright
Sean Newcomb
Max Fried

RELIEF PITCHERS
Arodys Vizcaino
Jonny Venters
Jesse Biddle
Chad Sobotka
Shane Carle
Wes Parsons
Josh Tomlin
Luke Jackson