Manny Banuelos.jpg

The Atlanta Braves acquired pitching prospect Manny Banuelos in an offseason trade from the New York Yankees. (MLB.com photo)

Pitching prospect Manny Banuelos, acquired in an offseason trade from the New York Yankees, was among three players sent to the minor leagues by the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Banuelos, a former top prospect for the Yankees prior to elbow surgery, was acquired in a Jan. 1 deal that sent relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve to New York. The 24-year-old left-hander was considered a longshot to make the Braves' Opening Day roster, and did not help his case by posting a 9.45 ERA over 6 2/3 innings this spring.

"You can see why he's a highly-touted guy," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The arm speed is there. The arm works. We just sent him down because we are not getting enough innings for these guys, him and Williams Perez."

With Banuelos no longer in big-league camp, left-hander Eric Stults and rookie right-hander Mike Foltynewicz continue to battle for the No. 5 spot in the Braves' starting rotation. Veteran left-hander Wandy Rodriguez appears to have won the No. 4 spot behind Julio Teheran, Alex Wood and Shelby Miller.

Also cut Friday were outfielder Eury Perez and pitcher Williams Perez. Eury Perez had been attempting to win a job as a reserve center fielder behind Eric Young while starter Melvin Upton recovers from a foot injury that is expected to keep him out until May.

Friday's moves reduce the Braves' spring training roster to 40 players. Earlier this week, veteran back-up catcher John Buck announced his retirement despite batting .320 with one homer in 25 at-bats this spring.

Atlanta opens the regular season April 6 at Miami.