Atlanta Braves utility player has announced his retirement from baseball via Instagram. Known for his resemblance to Dansby Swanson and his positive influence in the Braves’ clubhouse, Culberson’s stats may not reflect a significant on-field impact, but his contribution to the team went beyond numbers like hits and RBIs.
Eventually, the Braves decided they could no longer keep him on the roster due to his inconsistent performance at the plate. This prompted the 35-year-old to reconsider his career and shift to pitching, participating in spring training with the Braves and later with Gwinnett.
Despite his inspiring efforts to remain relevant in the major leagues, reality set in when the Braves decided to let him go, signaling the end of his playing days.
“Once I made that switch to pitching and the Braves told me it wasn’t going to work out, I realized I was done trying to keep playing,” Culberson shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It took a bit to come to terms with others not believing in me as a player anymore, but I eventually accepted it and felt at peace with my journey.”
To be fair, the Braves never guaranteed him anything, with manager Brian Snitker previously stating that Culberson wouldn’t receive any special treatment. “We’ll see where it takes him,” Snitker said, wishing him well for his future endeavors.
Sadly for Culberson, he hasn’t played in the majors this season, appearing in just one game in 2023. After years of diminished playing time, his chances of making it back as a pitcher were slim. Now, Culberson has officially closed the chapter on his baseball career.
