Braves Make First Spring Cuts, James Starts Tomorrow

It was a day of cuts as six players left major league camp for the minor league fields. Four players cut were on the Braves 40-man roster, right-handed starters Charlie Morton and Jairo Cuevas, and right-handed relievers Phil Stockman and Zach Schreiber. The Braves also cut non-roster invitees, right-hander Matt DeSalvo and catcher Jean Boscan.

Bobby Cox had great words of praise for Morton, saying that he should "be ready" and that the organization likes him as a starter despite some of the rumblings that he could be used in the bullpen.

Bobby also indicated that Chuck James will make his first start of the spring tomorrow, and is expected to go about two innings. Jo-Jo Reyes, who was scheduled to start tomorrow will follow James for about four innings of work.

Mike Hampton is scheduled to pitch a simulated game at five o'clock today on one of the back fields, so I'll try and check that out and let you know how he looks. I wonder if you can be removed from a simulated game in the middle of an at-bat... we may be about to find out.