Breaking News: Braves are getting ready for another backup plan after losing a key player to an injury.
The injury to Austin Riley has put the Braves in a difficult situation. Gio Urshela, who was just DFA’d by the Tigers, was acquired by Alex Anthopoulos, who is scrounging through other clubs’ leftovers in the big league ranks in the absence of an inspirational successor.
In other developments, Yuli Gurriel has been moved to third base in Triple-A Gwinnett by the Braves as a precautionary measure in case Urshela and Luke Williams struggle.
Gurriel played some third base in his career, but he’s not nearly as quick as he once was.
The two-time World Series champion, Gold Glove winner, and past batting champion signed a minor league contract earlier this season to play for the Braves. After seven years with the Astros, the forty-year-old played for the Marlins in the previous season.
Gurriel slashed.245/.304/.359 with four home runs and 27 RBIs in 108 games for Miami in 2023. Gurriel is batting an amazing.300/.380/.498 with 12 home runs, good for a.878 OPS, in 72 games for the Stripers this season.
Though they aren’t the most enticing options to succeed Austin Riley, the Braves are currently limited to Yuli Gurriel and Gio Urshela. Riley is expected to return to the team during the postseason, and it is hoped that Ozzie Albies and Jorge Soler will shortly make a quick recovery to help Atlanta secure a Wild Card berth.
It’s not unfeasible. Though it’s highly unlikely, the Braves still have a talented roster.
