Atlanta announces 2023 Opening Day roster

WASHINGTON -- Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II and Braves top prospect Jared Shuster can now both say they have been on an Opening Day roster, which was announced by the team prior to Thursday's season opener at Nationals Park.

The Braves essentially set their Opening Day roster on Sunday, when Kyle Wright was placed on the injured list. This move will allow both Shuster and Dylan Dodd to start one of Atlanta’s first five games. The two pitching prospects waged a strong battle for what was just one vacant rotation spot, before it was decided Wright needed an extra week to prep for the regular season.

Dodd isn’t on the Opening Day roster, but he will be added to both the 40-man roster and active roster before he makes his MLB in St. Louis on Tuesday.

The Braves had two open spots on their 40-man roster and three more were created when Tyler Matzek (Tommy John surgery), Huascar Ynoa (Tommy John surgery) and Kolby Allard (right oblique strain) were placed on the 60-day injured list. Four of these spots have been filled by these non-roster players: outfielder Kevin Pillar, infielder Ehire Adrianza, reliever Jesse Chavez and Shuster.

When Dodd is activated, the Braves will have to clear another 40-man spot. Currently, the most likely candidate would be Michael Tonkin, who gained a spot on Atlanta’s Opening Day roster after spending the past five seasons pitching in Japan and back in the United States, for both Minor League and independent league teams.

Catcher (2): Travis d'Arnaud and Sean Murphy
d’Arnaud and Murphy could be the game’s best catching duo.

First baseman (1): Matt Olson
Olson’s fantastic Spring Training indicated he’s comfortable entering his second season with his hometown team.

Second baseman (1): Ozzie Albies
Albies is swinging the bat great from the left side, but still seems to be regaining arm strength coming off arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in October.

Shortstop (1): Orlando Arcia
Arcia is back in the role he held for the Brewers from 2017-20. How long he holds it may depend on how Braden Shewmake hits at the Triple-A level.

Third baseman (1): Austin Riley
Riley and Olson account for two of the game’s eight players who have hit 70-plus homers and produced a 137 OPS+ or higher since the start of 2021.

Outfielders (3): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Eddie Rosario
Acuña and Harris give the Braves two Gold Glove-caliber outfielders.

Designated hitter (1): Marcell Ozuna
The Braves have been unsuccessful with attempts to trade Ozuna for Patrick Corbin and Madison Bumgarner. There might not be any other choice but to hope there is some return on the $37 million the veteran is owed over the next two years.

Bench/Utility (3): Ehire Adrianza, Kevin Pillar, Sam Hilliard
Pillar seems like the perfect fit as the primary backup outfielder, and Hilliard has shown he can help with both his glove and legs. Adrianza was a valuable, versatile piece for the Braves in 2021

Starting pitchers (4): Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Jared Shuster, Charlie Morton
Dodd will join the mix on April 4. Wright is making up for time he lost in January, when he rested for three weeks after receiving a cortisone injection. He should be ready to join Atlanta’s rotation around April 11.

Relief pitchers (9): A.J. Minter, Joe Jiménez, Collin McHugh, Dylan Lee, Kirby Yates, Jesse Chavez, Lucas Luetge, Nick Anderson, Michael Tonkin
Minter will serve as the primary closer while Rasiel Iglesias begins the season on the injured list with a sore shoulder.