Short-handed Braves sign 2B/OF Whit Merrifield

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd July, 18:50 2024

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Jul 7, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Whit Merrifield (9) after an inning against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves agreed to a contract with second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield on Monday.

The signing comes one day after All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies fractured his left wrist.

Merrifield, 35, was released by Philadelphia on July 12 after batting .199 with three homers in 53 games.

Merrifield is a career .281 hitter with 93 homers, 481 RBIs and 212 steals in 1,105 games with the Kansas City Royals (2016-22), Toronto Blue Jays (2022-23) and Phillies. He is a three-time All-Star and three-time league leader in stolen bases.

Merrifield had signed a one-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia. He will receive a prorated portion of the $740,000 major league minimum from the Braves, per ESPN.

The Braves officially placed Albies on the 10-day injured list, with an anticipated absence of eight weeks. He is batting .258 with eight homers and 46 RBIs in 90 games.

Atlanta made three other corresponding transactions Monday, calling up infielder Nacho Alvarez from Triple-A Gwinnett, optioning outfielder Eli White to Gwinnett and designating outfielder Forrest Wall for assignment.

--Field Level Media