The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Here’s how final picture could look

- By Justin Toscano justin.toscano@ajc.com

The dust is, NORTH PORT, FLA. — as they say, beginning to settle.

The Braves have made decisions and moves. The opening-day roster is becoming clearer.

Things could change, but we might have a decent idea of how that 26-man roster might look when the Braves stroll into Nationals Park on Thursday.

As of now, here are the 26 players who appear poised to be on the roster.

Starting rotation (four)

■ Max Fried

■ Spencer Strider

■ Charlie Morton

■ Jared Shuster

Yes, there are four starting pitchers and not five. We will get to that.

Max Fried, Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton were locks. So, too, was Kyle Wright, if he were ready. But Wright will begin the season on the injured list because the Braves want him to get one more start before joining them. They want him to be built up so he isn’t playing catch-up during the season.

Congratula­tions are in order for Jared Shuster, who has made the opening-day roster as a 24-yearold. The lefty had a terrific spring. He’s expected to debut April 2, the final game against the Nationals in Washington.

Congratula­tions are also in order for Dylan Dodd, the other 24-year old lefty prospect. He has effectivel­y made the opening-day roster, but you won’t find his name here.

Why? Well, Dodd and Shuster are “non-roster” players in camp, meaning the Braves can simply select them to the roster whenever they’re ready. Dodd is expected to start April 4 in St. Louis, so the Braves can add him for that start without carrying him on the opening-day roster.

As of now, it appears the Braves’ first turn through the rotation will go as follows: Fried, Strider, Shuster, Morton, Dodd.

But because there’s no fifth starter on this opening-day roster projection, where would that roster spot go?

It would go to a reliever.

Bullpen (nine)

■ LHP A.J. Minter

■ RHP Joe Jiménez

■ RHP Collin Mchugh

■ LHP Lucas Luetge

■ RHP Kirby Yates

■ LHP Dylan Lee

■ RHP Jesse Chavez

■ RHP Nick Anderson

■ RHP Michael Tonkin

You see nine names here. This accounts for an extra reliever.

Along with Wright, Raisel Iglesias will also open the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammati­on. That opens two spots.

The Braves had optioned Nick Anderson, but manager Brian Snitker on Sunday said the Braves will carry Anderson on the opening-day roster. The manager also said the Braves will put Michael Tonkin, who is out of minor-league options, on the roster. The injuredlis­t placements for Wright and Iglesias allowed the Braves to avoid having to make a decision on Anderson (the better reliever) and Tonkin (the one they would possibly lose if he didn’t make the team because he’s out of options).

A.J. Minter could see most of the save opportunit­ies. Joe Jiménez, if healthy, was a lock. So, too, were Collin Mchugh, Lucas Luetge, Kirby Yates and Dylan Lee.

When the Braves optioned Anderson, they effectivel­y chose Chavez over him. Now there’s room for everyone.

Something to keep in mind: If the Braves want to recall anyone — relievers or otherwise — they have a few moves in their pocket. Tyler Matzek (Tommy John rehab), Huascar Ynoa (Tommy John rehab) and Kolby Allard (Grade 2 oblique strain) will start the season on the injured list, and the Braves could theoretica­lly put one or more on the opening-day roster before placing them on the injured list and recalling someone from the minors. (This way, the player who is recalled wouldn’t need to meet the minimum number of days in the minors for players who are optioned.)

Infield (seven, including the two catchers)

■ 1B Matt Olson

■ 2B Ozzie Albies

■ 3B Austin Riley

■ SS Orlando Arcia

■ C Sean Murphy

■ C Travis d’arnaud

■ Utility infielder Ehire Adrianza Last week, the Braves surprising­ly optioned Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake, clearing the way for Orlando Arcia to start and Ehire Adrianza to be the utility infielder.

Anything could change, but the Braves shouldn’t have any switches here.

We knew Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley were locks. Sean Murphy and Travis d’arnaud are in the same spot. The Braves’ recent moves meant Arcia and Adrianza would make the team.

Outfield (six)

■ RF Ronald Acuña Jr.

■ CF Michael Harris II

■ LF Eddie Rosario

■ DH Marcell Ozuna

■ Backup OF Kevin Pillar

■ Backup OF Sam Hilliard Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris and Eddie Rosario were locks. In early March, Snitker said definitive­ly that Marcell Ozuna would make the team, so it seemed like he was also destined to grab a roster spot.

The outfield depth was a fun storyline this spring.

The Braves brought in Jordan Luplow, Kevin Pillar, Sam Hilliard and Eli White to compete for roster spots. This battle cleared up a bit when the Braves optioned Luplow and White as part of a flurry of moves. It seemed headed that direction, for a couple reasons.

First: If the Braves didn’t put Pillar on the opening-day roster, he could’ve asked for his release and signed elsewhere.

Second: Hilliard is out of minorleagu­e options, which is an advantage. Plus, he has played really well this spring.

White had a great spring in big-league camp but has options remaining. Luplow also has an option remaining and can benefit from regular at-bats in the minors after reporting to camp with an oblique strain that put him behind.

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