The Braves have announced the signings of ten players to minor league contracts, each of which includes an invitation to major league camp. Righty David Carpenter is perhaps the most notable, but the list includes several other recognizable names.
Joining Carpenter in Atlanta’s camp this spring will be fellow righties Chris Volstad and Madison Younginer. Also reporting early for camp will be four catchers: former big leaguer Ryan Lavarnway, along with Willians Astudillo, Matt Kennelly, and Braeden Schlehuber. Veteran infielders Reid Brignac and Chase d’Arnaud, as well as outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo, are also joining the Braves.
Carpenter, 30, had an up-and-down 2015 after being sent from Atlanta to the Yankees in a deal that netted Manny Banuelos. He struggled in New York, generated good results in a short stint with the Nationals, and then ended the season with shoulder issues. Carpenter will look to recover the form he showed over is two years with the Braves, when he worked to a 2.63 ERA over 126 2/3 innings, with an impressive 10.0 K/9 against 2.6 BB/9.
There’s plenty of big league experience in the remainder of that group, too. Volstad threw well at Triple-A last year for the Pirates and could compete for a job in the rotation or the pen. Lavarnway spent time in the majors with Atlanta last season and might well end up the backup catcher if Christian Bethancourt isn’t deemed worthy of a roster spot. And Brignac and d’Arnaud might battle for a utility role.
Scout.com’s Bill Shanks first reported Carpenter’s signing. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted the Volstad signing.