Charlie Culberson's attempt to reinvent himself as a pitcher at age 34 took a blow Saturday when he was released by the Atlanta Braves.
The longtime utility man, who has 99 extra-base hits over an 11-year major league career, went to spring training this season with the Braves on a minor league deal as a right-handed pitcher.
Mostly an infielder and left fielder in his 586 career games, Culberson does have 7 1/3 career innings pitched over eight regular-season appearances, posting a 1.23 ERA without a decision. In three pitching appearances this spring, Culberson was charged with six earned runs over two total innings.
Reports indicate that Culberson is not considering retirement. The career .248 hitter has 30 home runs with 145 RBIs in his career with the San Francisco Giants (2012), Colorado Rockies (2013-14), Los Angeles Dodgers (2016-17), Braves (2018-20) and Texas Rangers (2021-23), but played in just one game for the Braves last season.
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