The Atlanta Braves responded to Ozzie Albies’ injury on Monday by bringing up Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett and signing veteran Whit Merrifield.
However, Merrifield quickly joined Atlanta’s long list of injured players when he injured his finger during infield practice. X-rays were negative, and he is listed as day-to-day.
Braves manager Brian Snitker commented on the situation, saying, “You can’t make it up.”
Albies sustained a fractured left wrist during Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and is expected to miss about eight weeks. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday, but the team hopes he won’t need surgery.
“They casted him up and it’s clean,” Snitker added. To clear space for Merrifield on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated outfielder Forrest Wall for assignment and sent outfielder Eli White to Triple-A Gwinnett after Sunday’s game.
Merrifield, who was released by Philadelphia on July 12, provides valuable experience at second base as the Braves look to fill in for Albies for most of the rest of the regular season.
Even before Merrifield’s injury, Alvarez was set to start at second base and bat second. “Put him in amongst the guy,” Snitker said. “His swing has been hot, so why not?”
Alvarez, a fifth-round draft pick in 2022, hit .336 with seven home runs in 28 games after being promoted to Gwinnett on June 12.
“Pretty much two years after I got drafted, I’m here now,” Alvarez said, describing his emotional reaction to the news of his promotion to the majors, including “probably 10 minutes of straight crying” in a phone call with his parents.
Alvarez, who hails from Fontana, California, mentioned the only setback was that his parents had their early Monday flight to Atlanta canceled and were struggling to find another flight to witness his MLB debut.
In the minors, Alvarez primarily played shortstop but has experience at second base from his high school days and expects a smooth transition.
“Ultimately, it’s just baseball,” Alvarez commented. Merrifield, aged 35, batted .199 in 53 games for the Phillies this season, with starts in left field, second base, and third base.
The Braves will pay Merrifield $278,495, which is a prorated share of the $740,000 MLB minimum salary. The Phillies are responsible for the remainder of his $7 million salary and a $1 million buyout for his 2025 option.
In 2021, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia made 43 starts at second base. The Braves prioritize Arcia’s defensive skills at shortstop, focusing on finding alternatives to replace Albies. Merrifield could serve as insurance if Alvarez encounters difficulties adjusting.
Albies injured his wrist while trying to catch a throw during Michael Siani’s steal of second base in Sunday’s ninth inning. Siani’s slide into Albies caused the infielder to twist his glove hand at an awkward angle.
Zack Short replaced Albies during Sunday’s game. Albies is the third Atlanta starting position player to face a lengthy injury absence. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury in May.
Center fielder Michael Harris II, who took over as leadoff hitter after Acuña’s injury, was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring injury on June 14 and has yet to begin a rehab assignment.
Earlier Sunday, All-Star left-hander Max Fried was put on the 15-day IL with forearm neuritis, which is nerve inflammation, with the move retroactive to Thursday. Ace right-hander Spencer Strider underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in April.
“It’s been very tough,” said Snitker of the Braves’ injury challenges. They currently rank second in the NL East after winning the division title for the past six years. “This year has been quite a ride… It’s never straightforward. You have to overcome adversity frequently.”
