Just when it looked like Braden Shewmake and Vaughn Grissom were competing to replace Dansby Swanson as Atlanta’s starting shortstop, both were sent to the Braves’ Minor League camp.
The surprising development occurred Monday evening when the Braves announced Shewmake and Grissom were among the players optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Barring an acquisition, Orlando Arcia will be Atlanta’s shortstop when the regular season begins March 30 against Washington at Nationals Park.
Joining Shewmake and Grissom on the list of players optioned to Gwinnett on Monday were right-handed reliever Nick Anderson, outfielder Jordan Luplow and outfielder Eli White.
Anderson could be a key bullpen piece at some point this year, but with two options remaining, the veteran will have time to further distance himself from a couple of injury-plagued seasons.
