<img alt="San Francisco Giants v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YYPEmmcOtwryhnQTVHB-Dxnep70=/0x0:6808x4539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73474316/2160131599.0.jpg">
Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
The Braves are adding a veteran option to their infield mix in wake of Ozzie Albies’ injury. One day after losing Ozzie Albies to a fractured wrist, the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a major league deal with veteran infielder Whit Merrifield according to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Merrifield was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Superutilityman Whit Merrifield and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Merrifield was released recently by Philadelphia. He’ll join the Braves today and help provide depth after the injury to All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2024
Albies suffered a fractured wrist during the ninth inning of Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and he is expected to miss approximately eight weeks of action.
Merrifield signed with the Phillies during the offseason, but he struggled in a utility role hitting just .199/.277/.295 with three homers and a 65 wRC+ while making starts at second base, third base and left field.
After Albies injury Sunday, reports indicated that the Braves planned to promote Nacho Alvarez to play second base. It is unclear if the addition of Merrifield will affect that. Merrifield probably isn’t well suited for an every day job at this point in his career, but it would require an additional roster move.
<img alt="San Francisco Giants v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YYPEmmcOtwryhnQTVHB-Dxnep70=/0x0:6808x4539/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73474316/2160131599.0.jpg">
Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
The Braves are adding a veteran option to their infield mix in wake of Ozzie Albies’ injury. One day after losing Ozzie Albies to a fractured wrist, the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a major league deal with veteran infielder Whit Merrifield according to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Merrifield was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Superutilityman Whit Merrifield and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Merrifield was released recently by Philadelphia. He’ll join the Braves today and help provide depth after the injury to All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2024
Albies suffered a fractured wrist during the ninth inning of Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and he is expected to miss approximately eight weeks of action.
Merrifield signed with the Phillies during the offseason, but he struggled in a utility role hitting just .199/.277/.295 with three homers and a 65 wRC+ while making starts at second base, third base and left field.
After Albies injury Sunday, reports indicated that the Braves planned to promote Nacho Alvarez to play second base. It is unclear if the addition of Merrifield will affect that. Merrifield probably isn’t well suited for an every day job at this point in his career, but it would require an additional roster move.
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