The Atlanta Braves signed infielder Gio Urshela on Tuesday to fill yet another significant void in their lineup. Following his placement on the injured list due to a fractured hand, third baseman Austin Riley made this move.
Before getting dismissed on Sunday, Urshela, 32, was hitting.243 for the Detroit Tigers with five home runs and 37 RBIs.
Seeing that he was the best option available to replace Riley, who is anticipated to miss the remainder of the regular season after a pitch struck his right hand, the Braves selected him right away.
“As a major leaguer, he has been extremely productive,” Brian Snitker, the manager, said. “He has a fantastic opportunity, and we’re fortunate that he was available.”
Riley’s injury is a difficult setback for the Braves in an already injury-plagued season. It’s unlikely that he will play again this season unless the team has a lengthy playoff run, as his recuperation is expected to take six to eight weeks.
Gio Urshela
After hitting the ball, Gio Urshela sprints across the bases.
Before the start of a series against the Philadelphia Phillies, who led the NL East, Riley expressed his disgust, “It stinks,” while sporting a cast on his hand. “I’m going to miss out on competition with the team, and I hate it.” However, I am aware that injuries are a part of the sport.
The Braves have experienced a lot of injury problems. In addition to second baseman Ozzie Albies’s season-long absence due to a fractured wrist, and NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.’s knee injury, Riley may have played his final game of the year.
Sean Murphy, the catcher, and center fielder Michael Harris II have also missed a lot of time. Outfielder Jorge Soler has been out for almost a week due to a hamstring injury, and he is not anticipated to return before the weekend.
Ace pitcher Spencer Strider also went down for the season for Atlanta, and reliever A.J. Minter appears to be out for the same reason—a hip problem that requires surgery. To create space for Urshela on the 40-man roster, Minter was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
“I believe that these guys are excellent at taking action and not dwelling on their misery,” Snitker remarked. “It is ineffective. Nobody is concerned. Nobody is sympathetic to us.
The ball is caught on the ground by Gio Urshela.
After nine years in the MLB, Urshela is joining the Braves for the seventh time. This season, he has largely played third base, but he has also handled other major league infield positions.
2019 was his greatest season, hitting.314 with the New York Yankees with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. The Braves are hoping that he will strengthen their anemic lineup because he has double-digit home run totals in two previous seasons.
On the day he was cut loose by the Tigers, Urshela felt lucky to get a call from a team that was in the running for the postseason.
The Braves are maintaining their hold on the final wild card slot in the NL despite the injuries.
Urshela stated, “We’re about a month away from finishing.” “You need to concentrate on this one before considering the playoffs.”
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