ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves made two moves to replace injured second baseman Ozzie Albies on Monday, recalling infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett and signing veteran Whit Merrifield.
The Braves said after Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals that Albies is expected to miss about eight weeks with a fractured left wrist. Albies was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday.
The Braves optioned outfielder Eli White to Triple-A Gwinnett following Sunday’s game. To make room on the 40-man roster for Merrifield, outfielder Forrest Wall was designated for assignment.
Philadelphia released Merrifield on July 12. Merrifield served as a utility player with the Phillies, but his experience at second base is especially important as the Braves look to replace Albies for at least most of the remainder of the regular season.
Merrifield, 35, hit .199 in 53 games for the Phillies, making 20 starts in left field, 12 at second base and eight at third base.
Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia made 43 starts at second base for Atlanta in 2021. The Braves value Arcia’s defense at shortstop, so Alvarez may move from shortstop, his primary position in the minors, to second base. Merrifield could be viewed as insurance if Alvarez struggles with the transition.
Albies was injured trying to catch a throw when Michael Siani stole second in the ninth inning on Sunday. Siani slid into Albies as the infielder reached for the ball, bending back his glove hand at an awkward angle.
Zack Short replaced Albies in Sunday’s game.
Albies is the third Atlanta position starter to be lost for a significant period of time with an injury. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. went down with a season-ending knee injury in May. Center fielder Michael Harris II, who replaced Acuna as the leadoff hitter, was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring injury on June 14.
Earlier Sunday, All-Star left-hander Max Fried landed on the 15-day injured list with forearm neuritis, a nerve inflammation, in a move retroactive to Thursday. Ace right-hander Spencer Strider had season-ending Tommy John surgery in April.
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