In response to the crew’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 trying to transition to pitching after 17 professional seasons (together with 11 within the majors) as a utilityman.
This doesn’t seem like the tip of the road for Culberson’s profession, as he instructed Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Structure that he’ll proceed in search of extra taking part in 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 stage 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 over the past 12 months. The Braves twice designated Culberson for task, and he selected free company somewhat than an outright task, although Culberson shortly rejoined the group on a brand new contract.
The transactional shuffles had 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 recreation on the main league stage. Regardless of a number of months on the Braves ‘ lively roster, Atlanta’s tendency to not often relaxation its star gamers meant that Culberson merely didn’t have a lot alternative to get taking part in time. This made 2023 a “robust” season for Culberson, as he instructed Toscano, and it partially impressed his determination to attempt pitching as a special means of offering worth to a giant 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 area. 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 not too long ago as 2021 when he performed for a rebuilding Rangers crew.
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 may return to his acquainted utility function if one other crew 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 residence, Culberson’s want to play appears to conflict with Atlanta’s loaded roster.
