KANSAS CITY -- The Braves have released veteran Minor League catcher Ryan Lavarnway, who was hitting .276 for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
Lavarnway played in 27 games for Atlanta last season and hit .227 with two homers. He had been signed as a Minor League free agent on May 30, 2015.
The catching opening at Gwinnett creates more opportunity for recently acquired Anthony Recker, who was picked up from the Indians' organization last week.