Braves Option Nacho Álvarez, Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Gwinnett; Tromp, Guerra Reassigned

The Atlanta Braves trimmed spring roster depth Sunday, optioning infielder Nacho Álvarez Jr. and right‑handed reliever Hunter Stratton to Triple‑A Gwinnett while reassigning non‑roster invitees catcher Chadwick Tromp and right‑handed reliever Javy Guerra to minor‑league camp. The moves were among the first cuts of Grapefruit League camp and reduced major‑league camp to 62 players.

“This morning, Atlanta Braves formally announce that infielder Nacho Alvarez, Jr. and reliever Hunter Stratton have been optioned to Triple‑A and that non‑roster invitees catcher Chadwick Tromp and reliever Javy Guerra have been reassigned to the minor league camp. Alvarez, Jr.’s option appeared on the team’s transaction page yesterday.” The sequence of the transaction page posting and the formal announcement underscored how teams use internal roster logs before public bulletins.

Álvarez finished his big‑league camp 2‑for‑12 with two doubles and four RBIs in five games, and a Getty Images photo captured his two‑RBI double at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26. Álvarez is slated to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and, barring injury to players ahead of him on Atlanta’s depth chart, was expected to begin the season in the minors.

Hunter Stratton’s destination to Gwinnett comes after a recent roster shuffle that opened a 40‑man spot. The club transferred Chris Sale to the 60‑day injured list to clear room for the righty, who was acquired in exchange for minor‑league outfielder Titus Dumitru and cash. Stratton made two spring appearances, allowing six earned runs across 1 1/3 innings, and has mixed major‑league samples: a 23.63 ERA in a 2 2/3‑inning small sample this year and a combined 3.26 ERA over 49 2/3 innings across 2023 and 2024, with a 21 percent strikeout rate, a 41 percent ground‑ball rate and a 4.9 percent walk rate. Team reporting also lists a 12‑game bullpen sample for Atlanta in his recent work, reflecting differing windows of measurement for his usage.

Chadwick Tromp, a non‑roster invitee who is not on the 40‑man roster, was reassigned to minor‑league camp after showing power in limited action. In 10 trips to the plate he batted .429 with a 1.457 OPS, one home run and three RBIs. Tromp is scheduled to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic and is expected to report to minor‑league camp once his WBC duties conclude.

Javy Guerra, also a non‑roster invitee and not on the 40‑man roster, made three spring appearances and allowed five earned runs on two hits and four walks across 2 2/3 innings. Guerra will represent Panama in the World Baseball Classic and, like Tromp, appears set to prepare for the minor‑league season in Gwinnett after finishing international play.

The moves reflect roster mechanics for optioned players: “When players have options, they become the default players to get moved. There is no risk of losing them to another organization because they have to go through waivers and be removed from the 40‑man roster. They can be sent to Triple‑A, and if they're needed 15 days or more later, they can be recalled.” With Álvarez and Stratton identified as the first players optioned for the upcoming season, Atlanta’s early trimming prioritizes roster flexibility while reassigned non‑roster invitees head to minor‑league camp in advance of the minor‑league season after their World Baseball Classic commitments.