Braves cut struggling pitcher Scott Kazmir

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves released Scott Kazmir late Saturday after the left-hander fell short in his bid to win the No. 5 spot in the team’s rotation. The 34-year-old Kazmir was acquired with Brandon McCarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson in the Dec. 18 trade that sent outfielder Matt Kemp to the Dodgers. McCarthy has won a spot in the rotation, but Kazmir struggled in spring training. He couldn’t earn a spot left vacant when Luiz Gohara sprained his left ankle. Kazmir will earn $15,554,483 on the final year of his contract this season. Anibal Sanchez, signed to a minor league contract late in camp, is a candidate to serve as the fifth starter at least until Gohara is healthy. The Braves open the season Thursday.

AUTO RACING

› MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway was postponed until today because of inclement weather. Rain and light snow started falling Saturday afternoon and continued into the night, creating dangerous driving conditions on nearby roads and leaving little chance of getting the track cleared and dry enough to race Sunday. The Camping World Truck Series race will resume at 11 this morning, followed by the Cup Series race at 2 p.m.

BASKETBALL

› MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University has a new men’s basketball coach in Nick McDevitt, who led UNC Asheville to the Big South regular-season title the past two years. He replaces Kermit Davis, who left to take over at Ole Miss after going 332-188 in 16 seasons with the Blue Raiders. McDevitt will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday. He inherits a program that emerged as a mid-major power under Davis. MTSU upset Michigan State in the 2016 NCAA tournament and knocked off Minnesota in the 2017 bracket.