The Braves have released veteran right-handers Kyle Kendrick and Chris Volstad, per a team announcement. Both were in camp on minor league deals.
Kendrick was widely expected to compete for a rotation spot after inking a minors pact that would have paid him $2MM on the MLB roster. He also could have boosted the deal’s total value to $6MM through incentives. Of course, that earning capacity also probably also raised the bar for Atlanta to keep him around, though the timing of this move remains a bit surprising with several weeks left to go.
While it’s still too early to read much into spring stats — if that’s ever worth doing in a vacuum — Kendrick’s have been pretty ugly. Over 3 2/3 frames in two appearances, he has given up 14 hits, 3 walks, and nine earned runs while striking out only one opposing hitter.
Volstad’s early work has been similarly unimpressive, as he’s surrendered eight earned on eight hits and three walks while recording a single K in his 2 2/3 frames of action. He had impressive numbers at Triple-A last year with the Pirates, but will have to go looking for another opportunity this spring.
How is this surprising!?! Kendrick has been absolutely awful and they have far more options that are cheaper to choose from.
Not surprising, but certainly interesting to see their moves the closer we get to opening day.
Agreed, not surprising at all. Need Manny to put up good today and earn that spot
I said the timing, not the decision itself. No reason (so far as I’m aware) to trim the depth now. Could be they just knew they weren’t going to make it and did it for the players’ benefit, or maybe there was a contractual reason.
Agreed, my thoughts were in players’ benefit. And Jeff, you are my hero. 3 questions answered Thursday. Love the chats.
Ha, guess you asked good questions! The chats are fun – I had never done anything like that until a few months ago.
They were both god awful so far. Good riddance. We have cheaper options as tdmorgan said.
They were both god awful
Thank god I’m always a positive person bout our players but this guy has been awful his entire career GO BRAVES give the spot to one of our young guys that could use the experience
Exactly
Guessing this means Norris and chacin look healthy. Great news.
Norris and Chacin have looked very sharp so far this spring.
These were low risks moves when Kendrick and Volstad were given opportunities. Didn’t work out for the braves. No big surprise but the risks were low anyway.
Kyle Kendrick=Batting practice. I’m kind of amazed he’s held on in the majors for so long. He was never really impressive.
Glad the Braves finally stopped wasting innings on these two bums!
Agreed with most commenters, they were low risk options, better to have them and see what happens.