Strider on, Matzek off Braves' NLDS roster

October 11th, 2022

ATLANTA --  is on the Braves’ National League Division Series roster, but last year’s postseason star isn’t.

Now that Strider is on the roster, the only question is how he might be used during the best-of-five series, which begins Tuesday against the Phillies. The heralded rookie has thrown off a mound just once since his left oblique muscle began bothering him during a Sept. 18 start against Philadelphia. But he could be used as either a reliever or an opener during this series.

Matzek will forever be beloved in Atlanta for the great work he provided out of the bullpen during last year’s run to a World Series title. But the left-handed reliever battled shoulder discomfort in May and never regained his velocity or effectiveness this year. He felt elbow discomfort after his last outing (Oct. 5), and he's currently in Texas being evaluated.

The Braves will carry both Vaughn Grissom and Ehire Adrianza as backup infielders; Marcell Ozuna could be used as a designated hitter; and Guillermo Heredia will be available to serve as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner.

Here is the full 26-man roster:

PITCHERS (12): RH Jesse Chavez, LH Max Fried, RH Raisel Iglesias, RH Kenley Jansen, LH Dylan Lee, RH Collin McHugh, LH A.J. Minter, RH Charlie Morton, RH Jake Odorizzi, RH Jackson Stephens, RH Spencer Strider, RH Kyle Wright

CATCHERS (2): William Contreras, Travis d’Arnaud

INFIELDERS (6): Ehire Adrianza, Orlando Arcia, Vaughn Grissom, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELDERS (6): Ronald Acuña Jr., Robbie Grossman, Michael Harris II, Guillermo Heredia, Marcell Ozuna, Eddie Rosario