The Atlanta Braves made multiple roster moves on Thursday.
As spring training progresses, the Atlanta Braves continue trimming their camp roster while evaluating players who could factor into the organization’s future. With Opening Day approaching, teams around the league are gradually sending prospects and depth pieces back to the minor leagues in order to finalize their major-league roster.
Atlanta made another round of cuts as camp competition begins to narrow. The organization announced the moves publicly through its official social media channels.
Around the midway point of camp, the Braves confirmed the latest adjustments. “The #Braves today optioned RHP Jhancarlos Lara to Triple‑A Gwinnett, and reassigned RHP Austin Pope and INFs Jim Jarvis, Alex Lodise and Luke Waddell to minor league camp. Atlanta now has 54 active players in camp,” the Braves wrote on X.
The most notable name in the group is right‑handed pitcher Jhancarlos Lara. The Braves originally signed Lara in 2021 as an international free agent during a time when the organization faced significant international signing restrictions. Because of those sanctions, Atlanta had limited spending power, which meant finding value in under‑the‑radar prospects. Lara ended up becoming one of those success stories after signing for just a $10,000 bonus.
Lara’s development began to accelerate in 2024 when he spent most of the season at High‑A before finishing the year with several starts at Double‑A. The following season proved to be more challenging. He struggled early while pitching in Double‑A, posting an 11.21 ERA over his first six outings before receiving a promotion to Triple‑A in a relief role. While the results were still inconsistent, Lara flashed the powerful stuff that makes him intriguing, including a fastball that can reach the upper 90s and a sharp slider.
Despite being optioned to Triple‑A to begin the year, Lara remains an interesting arm in the Braves system. If he can improve his command and limit walks, the organization still views him as someone who could eventually pitch meaningful innings at the major league level. Some evaluators even believe his power arsenal could translate well into a late‑inning bullpen role down the line.
The other players reassigned are also continuing their development paths. Austin Pope, who made his MLB debut in 2025 before joining Atlanta on a minor league deal, will now head back to the minors to continue building depth within the pitching staff.
Meanwhile, infielders Jim Jarvis, Alex Lodise and Luke Waddell provide organizational versatility. Jarvis is known for his strong defensive ability at shortstop, Lodise is a recent second‑round draft pick with long‑term upside, and Waddell brings the ability to play nearly every infield position.
For the Braves, these moves are part of the normal spring training process as the roster gradually takes shape ahead of the 2026 season.