The Atlanta Braves have had to make significant roster adjustments recently due to injuries to key players. Max Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list with neuritis, and in the final inning of Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, second baseman Ozzie Albies fractured his wrist. This situation has left the Braves with challenging decisions, especially as they hoped to start the second half of the season on a strong note. Although Fried is optimistic about a short absence, the team now needs to fill two spots in the rotation. Albies, on the other hand, will be sidelined for approximately two months.
In response, the Braves signed former All-Star Whit Merrifield to a major league contract to bolster their bench depth. Additionally, it was anticipated that top prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. would be called up to play second base in Albies’ stead. The Braves confirmed several roster moves on Monday, impacting their outfield depth. Albies was placed on the 10-day injured list with his fractured left wrist, and Alvarez’s contract was selected. To accommodate Merrifield, outfielder Eli White was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and Forrest Wall was designated for assignment to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.
Wall, who played in 13 games with the Braves, posted a .241/.313/.241 line over 32 plate appearances. Although most of his season was spent in Gwinnett, his speed was a key reason the Braves had him on the MLB roster. Eli White, who had three hits in 13 at-bats with one homer and two RBIs in nine games, was also deemed expendable with Merrifield’s addit
ion.
