KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves started paring down their pitching staff, releasing right-hander David Carpenter on Saturday.
Carpenter was a key part of the Braves’ 2013 NL East-winning team, going 4-1 with a 1.78 ERA while serving as the main setup reliever for then-closer Craig Kimbrel. But Carpenter is mostly remembered for giving up a homer to Juan Uribe that clinched the NL Division series for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After struggling last season for the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals, Carpenter returned to Atlanta as a free agent. But the 30-year-old was cut after pitching one scoreless inning in spring training.
General manager John Coppolella said the Braves decided to release Carpenter early in camp to give him a chance to land with another team.
"We didn’t see him on our club," Coppolella said. "But he’s been a very good pitcher. We felt like if he could get into another camp early, he could make a club elsewhere. We brought in a lot of guys after we signed him. Out of fairness to him and respect for him, we wanted to make this move sooner. If we hold onto him for two, three, four weeks and at the end of spring no one has a job, then he’s in a tough spot."
The Braves also released right-hander Ryan Kelly, who struggled during his time with the team last season. The 28-year-old pitched in 17 games, posting a 7.02 ERA while allowing 21 hits and five homers in 16 2-3 innings.
Atlanta also reassigned five players to its minor league camp: outfielders Braxton Davidson and Matt Tuiasosopo, as well as catchers Matt Kennelly, Joe Odom and Braeden Schlehuber.
The Braves now have 63 players in their big league camp.
