The Atlanta Braves suffered a significant blow over the weekend with the loss of star third baseman Austin Riley, who fractured his right hand and is out for the season. This injury comes at a tough time for a team already struggling with injuries and clinging to its playoff hopes. In response, the Braves have signed veteran Gio Urshela to a major league deal in an attempt to bolster their lineup.
Urshela, who had been with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract, was designated for assignment and released by Detroit last week in favor of younger prospects. His performance this season has been subpar, hitting just .243/.286/.333 with a 73 wRC+ in 92 games, and his last above-average season was in 2022.
The #Braves today signed INF Gio Urshela to a major league contract and placed INF Austin Riley on the 10-day injured list, backdated to August 19, with a fractured right hand. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred A.J. Minter to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 20, 2024
Despite these numbers, the Braves are hopeful that Urshela can help them stay competitive in the Wild Card race. The team’s internal options have been less effective; rookie Nacho Alvarez Jr. has struggled significantly with a -27 wRC+, and veteran Luke Williams has only marginally outperformed him with a wRC+ of zero.
The Braves have a track record of revitalizing struggling veterans, though that success has been elusive this season. However, signing Urshela carries minimal risk, as the Tigers are covering most of his $1.5 million salary, and Atlanta will only pay the prorated league minimum for his time on the roster or injured list.
Urshela’s performance on the road has been better this year, with a .658 OPS away from the pitcher-friendly Comerica Park, compared to .583 at home. There’s potential that playing more games away from Comerica could enhance his overall numbers with the Braves.
With their playoff prospects on the line, the Braves are taking a chance on Urshela in hopes that he can contribute and help push the team into the postseason.
