A day after losing Ozzie Albies to a wrist fracture, the Atlanta Braves have reportedly reached a Major League deal with veteran infielder Whit Merrifield, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
It’s noteworthy that Albies sustained a wrist fracture during the ninth inning of Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and is expected to miss approximately eight weeks of action, a significant blow with just nine weeks left in the 2024 season. This injury comes at a critical time for such a demanding position.
Following Albies‘ injury on Sunday, reports indicated that the Braves planned to promote Nacho Álvarez to play second base. It remains unclear if Merrifield’s addition will alter those plans; however, at this stage of his career, he may not be suited for daily work but could provide additional depth, potentially necessitating further roster moves.
Whit Merrifield never quite fulfilled the Phillies‘ hopes when they signed him, expecting a productive bat capable of playing almost every day and multiple positions to provide rest for regulars. Instead, Merrifield saw limited action with Philadelphia this season—exactly 174 plate appearances—posting a lackluster offensive line of .199/.277/.295. He failed to capitalize on his opportunities and was subsequently released by the Phillies, who ate $4 million rather than keeping him on the roster.
Despite Merrifield not being at his career peak, it’s crucial to remember his credentials: a three-time All-Star with nine years of MLB experience at his position. A potential resurgence in Atlanta could benefit both parties moving forward.