The Braves and Rays open their exhibition slate Sunday in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Braves’ first lineup included shortstop Dansby Swanson, third baseman Austin Riley and a group of players competing for spots.
Here’s how the Braves lined up Sunday:
1. CF Ender Inciarte
2. SS Dansby Swanson
3. 3B Austin Riley
4. 1B Pablo Sandoval
5. 2B Jason Kipnis
6. RF Abraham Almonte
7. C Alex Jackson
8. LF Travis Demeritte
9. DH Bryce Ball
Kyle Wright was slated to start the seven-inning game. Other scheduled pitchers included Sean Newcomb, Grant Dayton, Tucker Davidson, Carl Edwards Jr., Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel.
Almonte and Demeritte are battling for bench spots. Inciarte is competing with Cristian Pache for the starting center-field job. Jackson is competing against William Contreras for the backup catcher spot.
Kipnis and Sandoval are former All-Star infielders hoping to rejuvenate their careers in Atlanta. Ball is a powerful young player trying to make an impression.
