Roster taking shape; Wright, Webb optioned

The Braves took another step closer to setting their Opening Day roster when they optioned right-handed pitchers Kyle Wright and Jacob Webb to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Wright lost his battle with Bryse Wilson for a rotation spot, and Webb’s move was simply a result of having remaining options, which allows the team to send him to the Minors without the risk of losing him. Both of these young pitchers will likely be asked to fill a key role in 2021, just like they did for Atlanta last year.

“We’re going to need them all,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

Injuries had paved the way for Wright to be on Atlanta’s roster at the start of the 2019 and ’20 seasons. The 25-year-old right-hander was optioned after making three starts and four starts, respectively. He did start to show great promise when he posted a 2.37 ERA in his final three starts of ‘20 and then tossed six scoreless innings against the Marlins in Game 3 of the National League Division Series last year.

Wright came to camp knowing he would battle Wilson for the rotation spot that will be given to Mike Soroka when he returns from right Achilles surgery in late April.

“He’s been good in spurts,” Snitker said. “He hasn’t been real sharp. This is an opportunity for him to go down and stay regular.”

While Wilson has posted a 1.98 ERA over 13 2/3 innings, Wright constructed a 4.50 ERA over his five Grapefruit League starts (16 innings). He recorded 15 strikeouts, surrendered 13 hits and issued eight walks.

“Kyle will be the first to tell you not everything is clicking on all cylinders,” Snitker said. “We all see the stuff. My God. It’s just crazy. That’s OK. He just keeps working and refining his craft.”

Webb has been one of Atlanta's most effective relievers in each of the past two seasons, and he has the capability of earning that description again this year. But had the Braves carried him at the start of this season, they would have risked the possibility of losing one of their veteran non-roster invitees (Nate Jones or Carl Edwards Jr.) or one of their relievers that is out of options (Luke Jackson or Grant Dayton).

As pitchers go from last year’s 60-game season to a 162-game grind again this year, pitching depth may prove to be even more valuable.

Webb posted a 1.39 ERA over 36 appearances before being shut down with right elbow impingement in 2019. He joined Atlanta’s bullpen in September last year and did not allow an earned run over eight regular-season appearances. He made a pair of scoreless postseason appearances before allowing three runs in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series.

“I told him I love where he’s at right now,” Snitker said. “If we weren’t looking for the total depth and all of that and he has an option. He’s getting back to where he was. I think that’s a great sign. I love where he’s at. We’re going to need him before the year is over.”

Jones, Edwards, Jackson, Dayton, Huascar Ynoa and Touki Toussaint are the top candidates for what appears to be at least three open bullpen spots on the Opening Day roster.