LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – One outfielder made the Braves’ opening-day roster only 48 hours after joining the team on a minor-league contract, and one pitcher made it despite having only 18 games of experience above the Single-A level and none in Triple-A.
In finalizing their 25-man roster Saturday, the Braves, who open the season Monday against the Nationals at Turner Field, again demonstrated they’re not bound to conventional thinking and not averse to absorbing a “sunk cost” if they think it makes them better.
Outfielder Drew Stubbs, who signed a minor league contract Wednesday night and flew from Arizona to join the Braves on Thursday, was named to the opening-day roster after the Braves designated for assignment the contracts of veterans Michael Bourn, who’s owed $14 million, and Emilio Bonifacio.