MLB News: Freddy Garcia Released By Atlanta Braves Despite Multiple Injuries To Team's Starting Rotation

Even though the Atlanta Braves need help and depth in the pitching department, the defending National League East champions decided to part ways with veteran starter Freddy Garcia just days before the start of their season. Garcia, a 37-year-old right-hander who spent parts of the 2013 MLB season with the Braves and Baltimore Orioles, was expected to compete for one of the starting spots in the beat-up Atlanta rotation and even though he looked comfortable in his most recent Spring Training outing, the veteran was released by the organization. News of Garcia's departure comes as a bit of a surprise considering the devastating injuries Atlanta will be forced to deal with this season while they defend their divisional crown.

Top of the rotation figures in Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy will miss the entire season while Mike Minor is expected to be on the disabled list until mid-April as he continues to recover from a sore shoulder. Though Atlanta could elect to trade for a proven starter or hit the waiver-wire, the club may be forced to enter Opening Day as constituted, with Julio Teheran, rookie David Hale, Alex Wood and non-roster invitee Gus Schlosser as their only viable options in the rotation. Veteran Ervin Santana – who signed with Atlanta this Spring – will join the club rotation in the second week of the season once his arm strength is back on par.

Garcia appeared in 17 games last season with the Braves and Orioles, collecting 4 wins against 7 losses while posting a 4.37 ERA over 80.1 innings and even though those numbers don't exactly pop off the page, the veteran starter was viewed as a comfortable rotation option since he's shown the ability to pitch at a high level throughout his career. Owed a $1.5 million bonus if he made the team heading into the 2014 MLB season, it is possible that Atlanta released Garcia in order to avoid that financial fee.

Following the somewhat surprising transaction, the Braves and manager Fredi Gonzalez will now look to stay afloat during the early portion of the regular season with an unproven rotation. If they're not able to remain competitive prior to the return of Mike Minor and inclusion of recently acquired Ervin Santana, the defending NL East titleholders could find themselves in the precarious situation of chasing division powers in Philadelphia and Washington.