Almonte has elected to become a free agent rather than report to Triple-A Gwinett, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

Almonte lost out on the competition for the backup outfield spot for the Braves, and the addition of Cameron Maybin likely cemented a tough road back to the majors. Rather than stay with the organization, it appears Almonte will look for work in another organization with a clearer path to at-bats.

Almonte passed through waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

He was competing to be a backup outfielder, and even with the Braves' lack of quality options, it appears Almonte did not make the cut. Eric Young, Jr. now appears to have the inside track to significant at-bats to start the season.

Almonte is batting .227 (10-for-44) with one extra-base hit, four RBI and a 3:5 BB:K through 18 spring training games.

Although the Braves signed Almonte to a major league deal back in November, he's no lock to break camp with the big-league club. He was believed to be a top candidate for a platoon role in left alongside Jonny Gomes when spring training opened, but manager Fredi Gonzalez recently suggested Gomes will not be deployed in a strict platoon, leaving Almonte to compete primarily for a reserve job. There are two open backup outfielder spots available between Almonte, Joe Terdoslavich, Kelly Johnson, Eury Perez and Todd Cunningham.

Almonte, or another outfield candidate, will likely platoon in left field with Jonny Gomes, the Braves' official site reports.

The switch-hitting Almonte didn't flash much while seeing time with the Yankees over the past two seasons, but his numbers against right-handed pitching (.558 OPS) were noticeably better than his results against lefties (.416 OPS). It may benefit the Braves to give Joey Terdoslavich a long look in spring training as a potential platoon partner for Gomes, as his Triple-A numbers (.721 OPS) against righties and modicum of pop might bring more to the table than Almonte.

Almonte signed a one-year contract with the Braves on Monday.

Almonte played 13 games in the big leagues last season, posting a .139/.139/.222 batting line with a home run and three RBI in 36 at-bats. He was signed to a major league contract, indicating the team expects him to likely serve as a backup to Jason Heyward and Justin Upton at the corner outfield spots.

Almonte was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Tuesday.

Almonte's 40-man roster spot was required elsewhere as the Yankees pursue a playoff bid. Meanwhile, in 13 games with the big club this season, he mustered just five hits in 36 at-bats (.139/.139/.222), so there's a decent bet he passes through waivers unclaimed and lands back at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Almonte was sent down to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre on Friday, the New York Daily News reports.

With Martin Prado and Stephen Drew set to join the Yankees, Almonte will head back to Triple-A to clear space on the roster. He struggled in 13 games for New York this season, batting just .139 with 14 strikeouts in 36 at-bats.

Yankees recalled OF Zoilo Almonte from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Almonte, 25, is 4-for-25 (.160) with a homer over 10 games with the Yankees this season. He'll serve as an extra outfielder.

Yankees optioned OF Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He was the odd-man out as the Yankees needed to recall an extra pitcher to bolster their bullpen depth for Sunday night's contest. He should return the next time the Yankees require an extra outfielder.

Yankees recalled OF Zoilo Almonte from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Almonte will start in left field for the Yankees on Wednesday night with Brett Gardner nursing a lower abdominal strain. Almonte was 3-for-19 with nine strikeouts during a short stay with the Yankees earlier this season.

Yankees optioned OF Zoilo Almonte to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The move clears a spot for Scott Sizemore on the active roster. Almonte batted just .158 (3-for-19) with nine strikeouts during his time with the big club.

Yankees recalled OF Zoilo Almonte from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Almonte will provide some insurance for the outfield with Carlos Beltran and Ichiro Suzuki both banged up. The 24-year-old was batting .273/.324/.470 with six home runs and 24 RBI through his first 24 games in Triple-A this season. He's unlikely to provide much fantasy value.

Yankees optioned OF Zoilo Almonte and RHP Preston Claiborne to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Almonte hit a ridiculous .410/.452/.615 this spring, but there simply wasn't room for him on the roster. Claiborne struggled with a 14.29 ERA over seven Grapefruit League appearances.

Zoilo Almonte went 2-for-4 with a double on Saturday to push his spring average back over .400.

Almonte is 13-for-32 with a homer, four doubles and just two strikeouts this spring. As well as he's played, the Yankees may want to think about stepping up their efforts to trade Ichiro Suzuki, making room for Almonte as a fourth outfielder. Then again, Almonte is just 24 and might benefit more from playing regularly in Triple-A.

Zoilo Almonte (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Trenton on Thursday.

Trenton is currently competing in the Eastern League playoffs. Almonte has been on the disabled list since July 19 with a badly-sprained left ankle. The 24-year-old outfielder hopes to return to New York's active roster by the end of the month.

Zoilo Almonte recently had his wisdom teeth removed.

It only cost Almonte a couple days of workouts. The 24-year-old outfielder has been on the disabled list since July 19 with a badly-sprained left ankle. He is aiming to return to the Yankees at some point in September.

Yankees placed OF Zoilo Almonte on the 15-day disabled list with a left ankle sprain.

Almonte sustained the injury during Friday's loss to the Red Sox. No word yet on what the corresponding roster move will be, but Thomas Neal seems to be the most likely candidate.

Zoilo Almonte left Friday's game against the Yankees with a sprained left ankle.

Fortunately, X-rays were negative and he's being considered day-to-day. After Friday's 0-for-2, he's hitting .261/.305/.341 with a homer, nine RBI and three steals in his first 26 games with the Yankees.

Zoilo Almonte went 3-for-5 with two RBI against the Twins on Monday.

Both Almonte and Vernon Wells played today, with Ichiro Suzuki getting the day off. Most days, it's figures to be Almonte over Wells in left field, if only until Curtis Granderson returns. Almonte is hitting .342 in 38 at-bats since being called up two weeks ago.

Zoilo Almonte went 3-for-4 with his first big league homer Friday in a 6-2 win over the Rays.

He also received a curtain call. Not bad for his first major league start. The 24-year-old switch-hitter was batting .297/.369/.421 with six homers and a .789 OPS over 68 games at the Triple-A level this season. We don't have very high expectations from a fantasy perspective, but it won't take much for him to outproduce Vernon Wells.