Josh Collmenter earned some goodwill with three strong performances (2.37 ERA in 19 innings) for the Atlanta Braves at the end of the 2016 season. With that in mind, the veteran right-hander was installed as the team’s primary long reliever for 2017 and, for a brief moment in the offseason, there was even buzz that he could end up in the starting rotation.
After just 17 innings and 11 appearances in 2017, however, Collmenter was designated for assignment on Thursday morning.
The timing does not come as any great surprise, as Collmenter was unceremoniously shelled on Wednesday.