Braves notes: Yastrzemski goes deep in first Braves AB, bullpen arms look promising in win vs. Rays

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves began exhibition play Saturday in Port Charlotte against the Tampa Bay Rays. After spring training began with immediate injuries to right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener offered a much-needed dose of optimism.

Here are some notes on the team’s 5-1 win over the Rays on Saturday.

Welcome to the team, Yaz

Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who signed a two-year, $23 million deal with Atlanta in December, hit the team’s first spring training home run — a 423-foot blast that put the Braves on the board in the first inning.

Yastrzemski is expected to open the season as Atlanta’s primary left fielder. He’ll likely sit against left-handed starters but should provide power against right-handers and off the bench when needed. In 2025, he posted an .808 OPS versus right-handed pitching compared to a .427 mark against lefties.

Outfielder Ben Gamel also went deep, launching a 419-foot shot to right-center field in his first at-bat of the spring. He followed with an RBI double, and he and Yastrzemski combined to drive in four of the team’s five runs on the day.

Bullpen excels

Carlos Carrasco — who turns 39 next month — got the start and worked two scoreless innings, striking out three. He’s likely a long shot to crack the rotation, but with Schwellenbach and Waldrep sidelined, he provides valuable depth.

What stood out most in Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener was the work of Dylan Dodd, Hayden Harris and James Karinchak.

Karinchak, who signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in December, struck out two in a scoreless inning while averaging 94.7 mph on his fastball. The 30-year-old was electric with Cleveland from 2019–23, posting a 3.10 ERA across 174 appearances (165.2 innings) before injuries derailed his 2024 season. He signed with the Chicago White Sox last winter and recorded a 2.45 ERA with a 28.1% strikeout rate over 29.1 innings at Triple-A Charlotte before being released in June.

If he earns a spot in Atlanta’s bullpen, Karinchak could be a major asset — particularly if he rediscovers his 2022 form, when he logged a 2.08 ERA with a 38.8% strikeout rate.

Dodd and Harris each added a scoreless inning, with Dodd touching 96 mph on his sinker.

As of Saturday, a projected Opening Day bullpen could feature Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Tyler Kinley, Aaron Bummer, Joel Payamps, either Bryce Elder or Joey Wentz, and one of Dodd, Harris or Ian Hamilton.

Where to watch Sunday’s game

The Atlanta Braves and Gray Media have unveiled an expanded spring training television package that will bring 15 preseason games to fans throughout Braves Country. The broadcasts will air on Braves on Gray local stations, reaching 26 markets across the Southeast.

The first of which will be on Sunday, Feb. 22, when the team hosts the Minnesota Twins at CoolToday Park in North Port.

For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.

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