NORTH PORT, Florida:Charlie Culberson arrived at North Port with the intention of proving to the Braves that he was a viable pitcher in order to sustain his big-league career. He spent the whole spring in the minor leagues since the Braves did not extend an invitation for him to attend big-league camp.
According to the Braves’ transaction record, Culberson was released on Thursday.
The Braves fired Charlie Culberson on Thursday. Culberson was a fan favorite who was trying to overcome the odds and become a reliever after years of playing utility.
Next month, Culberson, 35, will sign a minor league contract with Atlanta and play in three spring training games. On February 29, he made his debut and pitched a scoreless inning. However, in his two subsequent appearances on March 9 and 17, he gave up six runs.
Culberson faced a (very) difficult hill to climb in order to break through one of baseball’s better bullpens, even though it would have been quite the narrative if he had made the club as a reliever.
A week ago, the Braves sent several players who were competing for a spot on the roster to minor league camp, so setting their big league roster. It seemed sense to release Culberson, who was obviously not going to make the team, and offer Charlie the chance to succeed in 2024 somewhere else, either off the bench or in the bullpen.
The Braves’ formal opening day is less than a week away on Thursday, March 28 in Philadelphia, where Zack Wheeler and Spencer Strider will take the mound.
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