Braves Announce NRI List

The Braves announced today 12 players have been invited to Spring Training. Among the non-roster invitees: Tim Drew (J.D's brother), Ryan Glynn, and Jorge Velandia. Read on for the full list, plus Spring Training dates and information.

The Atlanta Braves have invited 12 players to the major league Spring Training camp, the team announced. The non-roster players invited to spring training are: right-handed pitchers Tim Drew, Ryan Glynn and Chuck Smith; left-handed pitcher Sam McConnell; catchers Jean Boscan, Joe DePastino, Lee Evans, Brayan Pena and Bryce Terveen; infielder Jorge Velandia and outfielders Damon Hollins and DeWayne Wise.

They join infielder Julio Franco, announced previously as spring training invitee. Franco is believed to be guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster, which would net him a $750,000 contract for this year. He'll most likely platoon at firstbase with rookie Adam LaRoche.

Tim Drew, brother of newly acquired outfielder J.D Drew, went 0-2 with a 12.46 ERA in six games with the Montreal Expos and 5-9 with a 7.23 ERA in 27 games for their AAA Edmonton affiliate. Drew took a large step backword from a successful 2002 campaign with the Expos in which he went 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings.

DePastino, 30, went 0-for-2 in two games with the New York Mets and hit .267 with 2 HR and 22 RBI for their AAA Norfolk affiliate. Velandia, 29, hit .190 with 8 RBI in 23 games with the Mets and .235 with 11 HR and 48 RBI with Norfolk. Wise, 25, hit .218 with 10 HR and 37 RBI in 80 games for the Toronto Blue Jays' AAA Syracuse affiliate.

McConnell, 28, had a 2.70 ERA in 13 starts and nine relief appearances for Triple-A Richmond last season. Ryan Glynn had a 2.91 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Richmond last season before being sold to a team in Korea in July. Both figure to start the year at Richmond.

The rest of the invitees played in the Braves' system in 2003.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the Braves' Spring Training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Feb. 19, with their first workout scheduled for Feb. 20. The rest of the team will report Feb. 24, with the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 25.