re: *** 2023 Braves - World Series or Bust ***

ROSTER MOVES


March 23: RHP Touki Toussaint and OF Drew Waters optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett

Though Toussaint will likely factor into Atlanta's pitching plans at some point this season, it appears he is now out of the battle for one of the final two rotation spots. The 25-year-old right-hander has struggled to find consistency since making his Major League debut in 2018. Waters’ stock fell last year, but the outfield prospect will return to Triple-A to prove he can still be a productive switch-hitter. -- Mark Bowman

March 21: RHPs Freddy Tarnok and Alan Rangel optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett
Tarnok is an intriguing prospect with high upside. He and Rangel both made a good impression before being optioned during the early stages of this abbreviated Spring Training. -- Mark Bowman

March 20: RHPs William Woods and Brooks Wilson optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett; RHPs Jasseel De La Cruz?, Darius Vines?, Bryce Elder and Victor Vodnik reassigned to Minor League camp
With an abbreviated Grapefruit League schedule, the Braves quickly pared down their pitching staff with this first round of cuts. Elder has made a quick rise since the Braves took him out of the University of Texas in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft. -- Mark Bowman

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INJURY UPDATES
RF Ronald Acuña Jr. (torn ACL)
Expected return: Possibly April
Acuña has seemingly made a full recovery from the torn right ACL he suffered last season on July 10. The young superstar has been rehabbing and taking batting practice, but he will not appear in Spring Training games.

“He’s continuing his rehab,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He does exercises and hits. He’s been doing great and all that. He’s done everything I think that they’ve needed him to do.” -- CJ Haddad (Last updated: March 22)

OF Drew Waters (Right hamstring tightness)
Expected return: Day-to-day
Waters was scratched from Sunday’s lineup when he told the training staff his right hamstring was sore. Manager Brian Snitker said he thinks the young prospect was just dealing with normal soreness after playing on Friday and Saturday. -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: March 20)

RHP Charlie Morton (right fibula fracture)
Expected return: Early April
Morton wasn’t willing to guarantee he will be ready for the season, but he said he felt great after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session on March 13. The right-hander broke his right leg when his shin was hit by a comebacker during the second inning of Game 1 of last year’s World Series. He has spent the past few weeks completing bullpen sessions and throwing a couple rounds of live batting practice. A short Spring Training might lessen the odds of him being ready for Opening Day. But even if the Braves take a cautious approach, Morton may join the rotation during April’s first half.

“Reports are really good with Charlie,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “But until we get him in here day in and day out, grinding and doing things, we won’t know exactly what to expect.” -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: March 13)

RHP Mike Soroka (torn right Achilles)
Expected return: Possibly July
Soroka has arrived at Spring Training with the intent of proving he can indeed return after tearing his right Achilles tendon for the second time. He suffered the original tear on Aug. 3, 2020, and the second while simply walking into the Braves' clubhouse at Truist Park on June 24, 2021. The right-hander is expected to miss at least the first three months of the upcoming season.

“I know he’s excited about getting back down here and starting this thing again,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He looks good and he feels good.” -- Mark Bowman (Last updated: March 13)