On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves addressed another major gap in their lineup by signing infielder Gio Urshela. This move comes after third baseman Austin Riley went on the injured list with a broken hand.
Urshela, who is 32 years old, had a .243 batting average with five home runs and 37 RBIs for the Detroit Tigers before being released on Sunday.
The Braves quickly picked him up, seeing him as the best available choice to fill in for Riley, who is expected to be out for the rest of the regular season due to a pitch hitting his right hand.
“He’s been a very productive major leaguer,” said manager Brian Snitker. “It’s a great opportunity for him, and we’re lucky he was available.”
Riley’s injury is a tough setback in a season already plagued by injuries for the Braves. With his recovery estimated to take six to eight weeks, it’s unlikely he will return this season unless the team makes a deep playoff run.
“It stinks,” Riley said, wearing a cast on his hand before the start of a series against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. “I hate that I’m going to be out and not able to compete with the team. But I understand injuries are part of the game.”
The Braves have faced numerous injury issues. NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season with a knee injury, second baseman Ozzie Albies is recovering from a fractured wrist, and now Riley might have played his last game this season.
Center fielder Michael Harris II and catcher Sean Murphy have also missed significant time, and outfielder Jorge Soler has been out for nearly a week with a hamstring problem, with no expected return before the weekend.
Atlanta also lost ace pitcher Spencer Strider for the season and reliever A.J. Minter seems to be out as well due to a hip issue that needs surgery. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for Urshela.
“I think these guys are really good about moving forward and not sitting there doing the ‘woe is me’ thing,” Snitker said. “It doesn’t work. Nobody cares. Nobody feels sorry for us.”
Urshela joins the Braves as his seventh team in a nine-year career. He played mostly third base this season but has also covered other infield positions in the majors.
His best year was in 2019 when he hit .314 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs for the New York Yankees. He has had two other seasons with double-digit home runs, and the Braves hope he can boost their weakened lineup.
Urshela felt fortunate to receive a call from a playoff-contending team on the same day he was released by the Tigers.
Despite the injuries, the Braves are holding on to the last wild-card spot in the NL.
“We’ve got like a month to go now,” Urshela said. “You’ve got to focus on this one and then think about the playoffs.”
