The long wait for the Atlanta Braves to take the field in 2025 is nearly over. Opening Day against the Padres is set for March 27. But before we get there, the Braves still have some housekeeping to do.
They need to make final decisions on their roster and determine which players will stay with the big-league club, who will go to the minors, and who might be looking for a new home altogether.
Braves Prioritizing Depth for the Long Season
At this point in spring training, most of the players still in camp have a decent shot at staying in the organization in some capacity.
The Braves have always prioritized depth, especially at the Triple-A level. They know full well that injuries and unexpected struggles are just part of a long baseball season.
Even guys getting cut now might not be out of the picture for long. Roster depth is like an insurance policy, and Atlanta is making sure they have plenty of coverage.
The latest round of roster moves reflects just that. The Braves have reassigned four players to minor league camp, but none of them should be considered out of the picture for 2025.
These moves help clarify the bullpen situation. For a couple of guys, it’s an encouraging sign that they’re on the inside track for a roster spot.
A Big Boost for Daysbel Hernandez and Angel Perdomo
The most notable impact of these cuts is how they shape up the relief corps. Veterans Jake Diekman and Buck Farmer were both in the mix for bullpen spots. With them heading to minor league camp, it looks like the Braves hope to keep them around as depth pieces.
If history is any guide, they’ll likely get a call-up at some point during the season—relievers are constantly shuffled in and out, and having experienced arms waiting in the wings is always a good thing.
For now, though, the spotlight is on Daysbel Hernandez and Angel Perdomo. With Diekman and Farmer out of the picture (at least for now), these two have a golden opportunity to claim spots in Atlanta’s Opening Day bullpen. They control their own destiny—pitch well, and they’ll be part of the club heading to San Diego later this month.
On the flip side, Anderson Pilar hasn’t had the best spring and could be one of the next roster casualties. As a Rule 5 pick, he’d have to be offered back to his original team if the Braves don’t keep him on the big-league roster, so his fate remains up in the air.
More Moves on the Way for Atlanta?
Of course, we’re not done yet. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is always looking for ways to tweak and improve the roster, and there’s still time to make a last-minute addition from the free-agent market or via trade.
Could a dark-horse candidate emerge in camp? Could someone unexpectedly sneak onto the Opening Day roster? You never know in baseball, and with just a couple of weeks to go before the season starts, the finishing touches are still being applied.
The Braves are in a great position heading into 2025. With a little more roster shuffling left to do, we’ll soon have a full picture of the team that will be taking the field on Opening Day.
