Earlier today, the Atlanta Braves made an important roster decision by reassigning four seasoned Major League Baseball (MLB) players to their minor league camp. The players affected by this move include right-handed pitcher Buck Farmer, left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman, catcher Curt Casali, and outfielder Jake Marisnick. Each of these players has extensive MLB experience, but they will now have to continue their careers at a different level within the Braves organization.
Farmer and Diekman were among those considered strong contenders for a spot in the Braves’ bullpen for Opening Day. Their reassignment comes as somewhat of a surprise, given their veteran status and potential to contribute at the major league level. Both players signed minor league contracts with the Braves in the offseason and were looking to make an impact during spring training.
Buck Farmer, 34, is a seasoned right-handed pitcher with 11 years of MLB experience. He has primarily played with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds throughout his career. Given his track record, he seemed to have a strong chance of making the team as a long reliever out of the bullpen. However, his chances were significantly affected when the Braves signed Hector Neris a few weeks ago, which likely forced the team to reconsider their bullpen configuration.
Jake Diekman, a 38-year-old left-handed reliever, has had an extensive 13-season career in the major leagues. Over the years, he has played for nine different MLB teams, bringing valuable experience and versatility to any bullpen. The Braves were considering him as a potential third left-handed option in their relief corps, but he faced competition from other candidates. Earlier, fellow veteran Chasen Shreve was also reassigned to the minor league camp, leaving Angel Perdomo as the most probable third left-hander in Atlanta’s bullpen.
Curt Casali, a 36-year-old catcher, has built a solid reputation as a backup catcher throughout his 11-year MLB career. Last season, he played for the San Francisco Giants, fulfilling a supporting role behind the plate. Within the Braves organization, he was likely viewed as the fifth option in the catching depth chart. With such stiff competition for roster spots, his chances of making the Opening Day lineup were slim, making his reassignment a logical decision by the team.
Jake Marisnick, who will soon turn 34, is another player with a lengthy MLB career spanning 11 years. However, he did not play in the major leagues last season. His most recent action at the Triple-A level came in 2022 when he appeared in 17 games for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Braves’ minor league affiliate. Despite his experience and defensive skills in the outfield, he faced an uphill battle to secure a spot on the Braves’ major league roster.
Given their extensive experience, all four players could have provided depth and stability to the Braves’ roster. However, with the team making final adjustments for the start of the season, the front office determined that these players would be better suited starting the season in the minors. If they remain with the Braves organization beyond Spring Training, they will likely begin the year with the Gwinnett Stripers, continuing to work toward another opportunity at the major league level.
While these reassignments may be disappointing for the players, they are not necessarily the end of their chances with the Braves. Injuries, performance fluctuations, and other roster changes throughout the season could open doors for their return to the major league squad. For now, however, they will need to prove themselves in the minors and stay prepared for any future opportunities that may arise with the Braves or other MLB teams.
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