The Braves have announced that they’ve released veteran reliever David Carpenter, along with journeyman righty Ryan Kelly. They also sent a number of players to minor league camp, including 2014 first-rounder Braxton Davidson.
Carpenter (not to be confused with the former Angels reliever also named David Carpenter who briefly pitched for the Braves last year) was a key part of the Braves’ bullpen in 2013 and 2014. The Braves sent him and Chasen Shreve to the Yankees for Manny Banuelos prior to the 2015 season, but Carpenter pitched for only two months in New York and was ultimately shipped to Washington. For the year, he posted a 4.01 ERA, 5.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 24 2/3 innings, also struggling with shoulder trouble. The Braves signed him to a minor-league deal in November.
The 28-year-old Kelly made it to the Majors in 2015, his ninth year in pro ball. He allowed 14 runs in 16 2/3 innings with the Braves but fared very well in the minors, posting a remarkable 0.77 ERA, along with 9.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9, in 47 innings split between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves’ decision to release him this early in camp seemingly reflects a belief that he won’t be able to carry over his minor-league success to the big leagues, but given his minor-league success, he’ll surely get a chance elsewhere.
Even Carpenter couldn’t fix the Braves bullpen…. (Sorry, couldn’t help it)
Pretty much all for just about all the moves the Braves have made but cutting Carpenter doesn’t make sense at all. Unless he was having shoulder or elbow tightness. The cut him but keep McKirahan who has been suspended for PED and now going for his second Tommy John surgery. Who also hasn’t even been very effective when he’s not suspended or hurt. I know he’s a lefty and Carpenter is a righty but his track record in Atlanta is great. He not only should’ve not been cut but deserves a shot at the pen this year.
Ok what? Slow down and write like you would talk. Did you like the carpenter move or no? Did you like the other moves or no?