In keeping with the workforce’s official MLB.com transactions log, the Braves have launched Charlie Culberson. Culberson rejoined the Braves on a minor league deal again in January and was making an attempt to transition to pitching after 17 professional seasons (together with 11 within the majors) as a utilityman.
This doesn’t look like the tip of the road for Culberson’s profession, as he advised Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Structure that he’ll proceed looking for extra enjoying alternatives. Culberson turns 35 subsequent month, although he indicated in one other interview with Toscano final month that he wasn’t but leaning in direction of retirement.
Culberson has a .248/.294/.386 slash line over 1,312 profession plate appearances, and he has performed for 5 totally different groups on the MLB degree since making his debut with the Giants in 2012. This consists of 231 video games over six totally different stints with the Braves since Culberson has signed 4 separate minor league contracts with Atlanta during the last 12 months. The Braves twice designated Culberson for project, and he selected free company somewhat than an outright project, although Culberson rapidly rejoined the group on a brand new contract.
The transactional shuffles have been a part of an odd 12 months general for Culberson, who performed in solely 27 video games with Triple-A Gwinnett and in precisely one sport on the main league degree. Regardless of a number of months on the Braves ‘ lively roster, Atlanta’s tendency to hardly ever relaxation its star gamers meant that Culberson merely didn’t have a lot alternative to get enjoying time. This made 2023 a “powerful” season for Culberson, as he advised Toscano, and it partially impressed his resolution to attempt pitching as a distinct approach of offering worth to an enormous league roster.
Culberson has made eight mop-up appearances (totaling 7 1/3 innings) as a pitcher over time, along with his a lot lengthier resume in any respect 4 infield positions, as a left fielder, and a handful of video games in proper subject. He has topped 100 plate appearances in solely six of his 12 main league seasons, although Culberson did get 271 PA and 90 appearances as just lately as 2021 when he performed for a rebuilding Rangers workforce.
Over three spring coaching appearances this 12 months, Culberson made three appearances on the mound and was charged with six earned runs over two innings of labor. Clearly, there have been going to be some bumps within the street for Culberson as he pursued his new place, and it stays to be seen if he’ll proceed to experiment with a pitching profession or if he would possibly return to his acquainted utility function if one other workforce wants some position-player depth. Whereas one other contract with the Braves wouldn’t be a shock if the Georgia native desires to remain near dwelling, Culberson’s need to play appears to conflict with Atlanta’s loaded roster.
