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03/12/08 10:19 PM ET

Braves make first round of cuts

Nine sent to Minor League camp, including five pitchers

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Charlie Morton caught manager Bobby Cox's attention during the Arizona Fall League and seemingly has the potential to be part of a Braves starting rotation within the near future.

But Morton's first big league camp came to a close on Wednesday, when the 24-year-old right-hander was among the first nine players the Braves sent to Minor League camp. The others cut were right-handers Phil Stockman, Zach Schreiber, Matt DeSalvo and Jairo Cuevas; catchers J.C. Boscan and Tyler Flowers; and infielders Diory Hernandez and Javier Guzman.

If he can stay healthy, Stockman -- who was bothered by some discomfort in his right shoulder early in camp -- could find himself in the Atlanta bullpen. The tall Australian recorded three strikeouts and did not allow a run in his two Grapefruit League innings.

But of the all the players in this group, Morton seemingly has the brightest future in Atlanta. Since being converted back into a starter late last season with Double-A Mississippi, he has impressed. The 6-foot-4 hurler limited opponents to a .205 batting average and went 4-1 with a 2.57 ERA in six appearances -- five starts -- in the AFL.

During his three exhibition appearances this year, Morton totaled five innings and was charged with one run. At Triple-A Richmond he'll be looking to maintain the control he gained with some mechanical adjustments late last season.

"I like Morton," Cox said. "He should have a good year and be ready when we need him."

Each of the other players cut from big league camp was a non-roster player and thus re-assigned. DeSalvo was sent to Richmond, Boscan will be on Mississippi's roster and Flowers, who impressed many with his powerful swing, will work with Class A Myrtle Beach.

Hernandez and Guzman were simply re-assigned to Minor League camp.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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