Braves Adapt After Losing Ozzie Albies to Injury

The Atlanta Braves are in a tough spot following the recent injury to their star second baseman, Ozzie Albies. Just a day after losing Albies, the Braves made a couple of strategic moves to help cushion the blow of their three-time All-Star’s fractured wrist.

Atlanta wasted no time in responding, signing utility man Whit Merrifield to a Major League contract on Monday. Merrifield, a three-time All-Star himself, was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies after struggling to find his rhythm this season, hitting just .199 with a .572 OPS in 53 games. While he faced challenges with the Phillies, the Braves see him as a valuable piece to provide some infield depth.

In addition to Merrifield’s signing, Atlanta also recalled infield prospect Dylan Alvarez from Triple-A. Alvarez, typically a shortstop in the Minors, is expected to slide into the second base position, helping to fill the void left by Albies. The young player has had an impressive season, batting .293 with seven homers, 39 RBIs, and an .818 OPS across 76 games at both Double-A and Triple-A. Since joining Triple-A on June 12, he has really turned it on, hitting .336 with a 1.007 OPS in the last 28 games.

The Braves made room for these moves by optioning outfielder Kevin Pillar to Triple-A Gwinnett and placing another outfielder on the injured list. The loss of Albies was compounded by another injury on the same day, as Atlanta’s pitching staff seems to be facing challenges too. Left-handed pitcher Max Fried is also sidelined with left forearm neuritis, which will keep him out for a minimum of two weeks. These two injury announcements add to a growing list of setbacks the Braves have endured throughout the season.

To put things in perspective, the Braves’ season has been riddled with injuries to key players. Staff ace Max Fried, a 20-game winner in 2023, is out after undergoing surgery on his UCL back in April. Meanwhile, the reigning NL MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr., is also done for the season due to an injury sustained in a game on May 26. As if things couldn’t get worse, center fielder Michael Harris II, the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year, hasn’t played since suffering a left hamstring injury on June 14. Even the Braves’ catcher, Travis d’Arnaud, strained his left oblique muscle on Opening Day and missed two months, adding to the team’s struggles.

Manager Brian Snitker expressed his frustration with the injuries following Sunday’s game. “It gets to a point where it’s kind of over the top a little bit,” he remarked. “Depth will cover to an extent, but after a while, it’s hard.” His sentiments encapsulate the feelings around a team that has fought hard but is currently facing an uphill battle.

Despite the barrage of injuries, the Braves hold a respectable record of 54-44 as of Monday, and they currently occupy the top wild-card slot in the NL. However, they remain 8.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the division.

For Merrifield, joining the Braves offers a chance at redemption after a rocky stint with the Phillies. The versatile veteran has played various positions throughout his career, spending time at second base, third base, left field, and more. His experience in different roles makes him an attractive addition to Atlanta’s roster.

Merrifield is not the only veteran that the Braves have signed to bolster their lineup in recent weeks. The team has made several similar moves, picking up released players to enhance their depth. Earlier this season, Atlanta added outfielder Jake Marisnick after he was released by Cleveland, and outfielder Jorge Soler, who played a key role in the Braves’ World Series championship run in 2021, was signed after being released by Washington.

As for Alvarez, the 21-year-old represents the future of the Braves organization. Established as the top position-playing prospect in the Braves’ farm system, he’s been making a name for himself with impressive numbers at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he showcases his potential both at the plate and in the field. Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, he has primarily played shortstop and third base; however, circumstances have now paved the way for him to step into a more active role in the lineup.

With Albies out for what could be two months, the Braves will heavily rely on Merrifield and Alvarez to step up and fill the gap left behind by the All-Star infielder. As they navigate through this challenging stretch, the Braves remain steadfast in their pursuit of playoff contention, even amid the wave of injuries that has taken a toll on the roster.