The Atlanta Braves are maneuvering through a season fraught with obstacles, primarily due to a spate of injuries that have sidelined several key players. Recently, the team has had to contend with the loss of their standout third baseman, Austin Riley, who is expected to be out for six to eight weeks with a broken hand.
Riley's absence is a significant blow to the Braves, who are already struggling to keep key players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies on the field. The loss of Riley exacerbates the issue, creating a void in the infield that the team must urgently address.
Options to Fill the Void
As Riley rehabilitates, the Braves are exploring options to find a reliable third baseman. Two names have emerged as potential solutions: Yuli Gurriel and Gio Urshela.
Gio Urshela appears to be a frontrunner, with reports indicating that he is close to signing a major-league deal with the Braves. Urshela, who was recently released by the Detroit Tigers, brings a wealth of experience to the table. However, his recent offensive performance raises some questions. This season, Urshela has played 92 games, posting a batting line of .243/.286/.333, with five home runs and 37 RBIs. Comparatively, his output has dipped since his more productive 2022 season.
An insider noted, "According to Sherman, the team plans to give him some reps at third to see if he's a valid option."
Gurriel's Intriguing Profile
Yuli Gurriel also presents an intriguing option. Currently assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, Gurriel has demonstrated a promising performance, hitting .300/.380/.498 over 72 games, with 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, 38 runs, and 11 steals. Despite these impressive statistics, there's a caveat—Gurriel hasn't played third base in the majors since 2021 and hasn't started in that position since 2019.
Integrating Gurriel into the major league roster as a third baseman would require some adjustments and a leap of faith, considering his protracted absence from the hot corner at the professional level.
A Team in Transition
Despite the turbulence, the Braves are navigating the season with resilience. They returned home on the back of a successful west coast trip, winning five of their last seven games. Currently, Atlanta holds the last NL wild-card spot, maintaining a slim lead over the New York Mets by a game and a half. This sets the stage for a critical stretch as the Braves trail the Philadelphia Phillies by seven games and are set to host them in a pivotal three-game series starting Tuesday.
The series against the Phillies will be crucial, as it could either solidify the Braves' wild-card spot or further jeopardize their playoff aspirations. With a lineup already precariously thin, each game carries immense weight for Atlanta.
As the Braves continue to seek solutions to their personnel challenges, the potential addition of Urshela or Gurriel could provide a lifeline. The front office's decisions in the coming days will be pivotal, not only in addressing the current gaps but also in shaping the team’s roster dynamics for the remainder of the season.
In the meantime, the Braves' fans can only hope that the depth of their roster and the grit of their squad will see them through this challenging phase. How the team manages these roster changes and injuries will likely define their season and their postseason aspirations.