Whit Merrifield, who is currently starting second base due to a fractured foot, will probably move across the diamond to third base when injured second baseman Ozzie Albies returns, according to a post made by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman this afternoon.
Atlanta may only be able to use Merrifield at third base because the super-utility man may not be able to play the outfield due to his foot fracture. The team currently has three players out with fractures, including the returning Albies and the currently sidelined Austin Riley.
Gio Urshela, Riley’s successor, has a lot of MLB experience at shortstop, but this could push him to the bench.
The manager of the Atlanta Braves, Brian Snitker, is still figuring out what role Merrifield will play. He did not, however, say if that role would be at third base, according to Justin Tuscano of the AJC.
With eleven games remaining, the Braves can still clinch the final Wild Card position, which they will do today against the Cincinnati Reds.
Albies is scheduled to return to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers as a rehabilitation assignment player. It was already stated that when Albies returns to Atlanta, he will only be able to bat right-handed.
The Braves’ exact lineup after Albies returns is merely a shrug emoji, much like Atlanta’s second half of the season has been.
Leave a Reply