Snitker: We’re more athletic than last year

The Braves will be a more athletic group than in years past, according to their manager.

With three steals on Sunday, the Braves are tied for the most steals in the Grapefruit League with 23.

Lane Adams, Dansby Swanson and Danny Santana each stole a base. Santana leads the team with five, while top prospect Ronald Acuna is second with four.

“We’re more well-rounded in that respect,” manager Brian Snitker said. “If guys are going to give it to us ... I’m not as much into steals as I am guys going first to third, base hits, scoring from first on doubles. Those are just as important. Overall, we’re going to be a more solid team doing that because we’re going to be more athletic than last year’s team.”

Kazmir sits out

Anibal Sanchez got the start Sunday in place of Scott Kazmir. A ball hit Kazmir in the mouth while he was playing catch in Bradenton on Friday. The team wanted to give him an extra day to heal.

“Everything’s OK,” Snitker said. “It’s still day-today as to when he’ll pitch again. Got hit in the jaw with a ball. I don’t know how. He just got hit.”

It’s possible he will pitch in a minor-league game today or Tuesday, Snitker said.

Kazmir has made four starts, allowing 10 earned runs across 92/3 innings. He’s still fighting for a back-end rotation or bullpen spot.

Roster moves

The Braves made a pair of roster moves Sunday, optioning infielder Ryan Schimpf to Triple-A Gwinnett and sending outfielder Jaff Decker to minor league camp.

To say Schimpf, whom the Braves acquired on March 5, has had a rough spring would be an understatement. He’s 0 for 30 with 19 strikeouts.

The left-handed hitter had eight strikeouts in 14 at-bats before the Rays traded him to the Braves for cash considerations.

Schimpf had 34 homers in the past two seasons with the Padres, but struck out 175 times in that span. Schimpf has an option remaining after today’s move.

Decker hit .212 (7-for-33) with one home run and three RBIs. Unlike Schimpf, he wasn’t considered a candidate for a bench role.

The Braves’ active roster sits at 44 players as they trim down to their opening day 25-man group.