The Braves haven’t made too many official “cut” rounds so far in Spring Training, but they’re saying a temporary farewell to Jacob Webb and Kyle Wright, both of whom have been optioned:
The #Braves today optioned RHP Jacob Webb and RHP Kyle Wright to the alternate training site. The club now has 40 players in major league camp.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 24, 2021
Webb was (at least in my opinion) a strong contender for a bullpen spot, but it looks like the Braves will emphasize roster flexibility in the early going and get longer looks at the players they can’t easily option down to the minors (including non-guaranteed out-of-options relief humans Luke Jackson and Grant Dayton, as well as non-roster invitees Nate Jones and Carl Edwards Jr.). Webb missed much of 2020 with shoulder issues, and has a career 24 ERA-/89 FIP-/110 xFIP- in 42 1⁄3 major league innings spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
This move does not necessarily take Kyle Wright out of the running for a rotation spot, as the Braves could easily call him when needed. However, Wright’s track record has been consistently inconsistent across the board and his career-to-date numbers are pretty gnarly (not in a rad way, unless you mean radioactive), so everything about his performance is still very work-in-progress.
The Braves still have a lot of cuts to make before Opening Day, and as this move shows, the bullpen picture is very far from settled. The bench also remains in flux. Stay tuned for more roster maneuvering, which is surely coming.
Webb had made six outings (6 IP) in Spring Training action so far this year, with a 5/0 K/BB ratio and a solo homer allowed. Wright actually leads the Braves, Spring Training-wise, with 16 innings of work across five starts, compiling a 15/8 K/BB ratio with a lone longball yielded.