Carpenter released as Braves make first roster moves of spring
The Atlanta Braves' first roster move of the spring included a surprise, as the return of reliever David Carpenter came ton early end.
Carpenter was given his unconditional release Saturday, along with fellow right-handed reliever Ryan Kelly, while outfielders Braxton Davidson and Matt Tuiasosopo, catchers Matt Kennelly, Joe Odom and Braeden Schlehuber were reassigned to minor league camp.
The maneuvers leaving Atlanta with 63 players in camp.
Carpenter appeared in Wednesday's second game of the Grapefruit League season against the Orioles. He retired all three batters he faced, getting Hyun Soo Kim to ground out, Adam Jones to fly out and induced another ground out to Chris Davis.
There was not believed to be any injury issues with the 30-year-old, whose 2015 was cut short by bicep tendinitis.
Carpenter had returned to the Braves on a minor league deal following a down season after his Jan. 1, 2015 trade to the Yankees. He threw just 18 2/3 innings and was acquired by Washington, where, after 5 2/3 innings he was put on the disabled list and later outrighted.
Kelly, 28, also pitched in one game, Tuesday vs. Baltimore and gave up a one-out double to Henry Urrutia, though he did retire the next two batters.
Davidson had been hitless with a pair of strikeouts in his three spring at-bats, while Tuiasosopo was 2-for-9 with three walks and Kennelly, Odom and Schlehuber were all 1-for-2.
