As the Atlanta Braves navigate a season littered with injuries, the latest setback comes with the loss of Austin Riley. The third baseman, a cornerstone of the team's infield, is expected to miss six to eight weeks due to a broken hand. Riley's absence compounds the Braves' woes, as they have already seen key players like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies sidelined this season.
Seeking Solutions at Third Base
The Braves are now urgently searching for a replacement to fill the gap left by Riley. Among the potential candidates are Yuli Gurriel and Gio Urshela. Urshela, who is reportedly close to signing a major league deal with the Braves, was recently released by the Detroit Tigers. Over a span of 92 games this season, Urshela batted .243/.286/.333, notching five home runs and 37 RBIs. However, it's important to note that his offensive production has seen a decline since his more productive 2022 campaign.
Gurriel, on the other hand, has spent the entirety of the year with Triple-A Gwinnett. In 72 games, he posted impressive stats, hitting .300/.380/.498 with 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, 38 runs, and 11 steals. While Gurriel's performance in Triple-A has been commendable, his experience at third base in the majors is quite dated; he hasn't played third base at the major league level since 2021 and hasn't started there since 2019.
Context and Implications
The Braves' efforts to shore up the third base position come at a crucial juncture in their season. The team has recently returned home after a successful west coast trip, where they managed to win five of their last seven games. Although the Braves currently hold the last NL wild-card spot, their standing is anything but secure. They lead the New York Mets by a narrow margin of a game and a half and trail the Philadelphia Phillies by seven games. With the Phillies coming to Atlanta for a three-game series starting on Tuesday, the pressure is on for the Braves to bolster their lineup, which remains precariously thin.
Urshela vs. Gurriel
According to sources, the team plans to give Urshela some reps at third base to evaluate if he could be a valid option. "According to Sherman, the team plans to give him some reps at third to see if he's a valid option," a source explained. With Urshela's recent release from the Tigers and dipping offensive stats, his capability to fill the void at third base effectively remains an open question.
Conversely, Gurriel's stellar performance in Triple-A Gwinnett makes him a tempting choice, but his prolonged absence from playing third base in the majors presents significant risk. The Braves' management will need to weigh these factors carefully as they strive to maintain their position in the playoff race.
Conclusion
The Braves' season has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials. The injury to Austin Riley adds another layer of complexity as the team battles to stay competitive in the tight NL wildcard race. How well the Braves manage to fill the third base position could very well determine their fate for the remainder of the season. Whether Urshela or Gurriel steps up to the challenge, the Braves and their fans are hopeful for a seamless transition as the team navigates these turbulent times.