Atlanta Braves Sign 3-Time All-Star

The Atlanta Braves have taken a step to help remedy yet another major injury problem they're now dealing with. After Ozzie Albies went down over the weekend with a fractured wrist, the Braves have now signed former three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield.

Superutilityman Whit Merrifield and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Merrifield was released recently by Philadelphia. He’ll join the Braves today and help provide depth after the injury to All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2024

Merrifield was just recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies, and he's now agreed to a major league deal with Atlanta. The 35-year-old was having the worst season of his career in limited playing time with the Phillies, hitting just .199 with a .572 OPS. He also had three homers and 11 stolen bases in 174 plate appearances.

Merrifield became a free agent after spending the previous season and a half with the Toronto Blue Jays, playing well enough in 2023 that he earned his 3rd All-Star berth, hitting .272 with 11 homers and 26 steals.

Merrifield can serve at second base and in the outfield, and both are spots that the Braves are shorthanded. In fact, the injury bug has ravaged the Atlanta roster this year, with staff ace Spencer Strider out for the season after UCL surgery in April, 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. done for the year with a torn ACL suffered in May, center fielder Michael Harris II going down in June with a hamstring injury, and catcher Sean Murphy missing two months with a strained his left oblique muscle.

In addition to signing Merrifield, the Braves also recalled their No. 5 prospect, Nacho Alvarez Jr., from Triple-A.