On Monday night, the news broke that NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario will miss significant time for an eye surgery. This vision issue explains his uncharacteristic struggles both defensively and offensively this season. Hopefully, he has a smooth and speedy recovery. In the meantime, the team has plenty of options to fill Eddie’s spot in the lineup while awaiting Acuña’s return.
Medical Update on Eddie Rosario:
OF Eddie Rosario saw a retinal specialist today and will undergo a laser procedure in the coming days to correct blurred vision and swelling in his right eye.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 26, 2022
Travis Demeritte
Travis Demeritte has received a few plate appearances for the Braves this season, recording a couple of hits. The 27-year-old is capable of providing reliable defense and has shown he’s no slouch at the plate either. Compared to the bottom of the order so far this season, Demeritte is an improvement, and I’d love to get a longer look at him in Atlanta.Â
William ContrerasÂ
Although William Contreras likely won’t fix the defensive issues, his bat is worth fitting into the lineup however possible. Similarly to Austin Riley in 2019, Contreras has been getting playing time in the outfield and could provide the spark this offense needs.
Other Options
Delino DeShields and Preston Tucker are both options in Gwinnett, but neither of them are on the 40-man roster. For one of them to get called up to Atlanta, Rosario would have to be placed on the 60-day IL, or someone would have to be designated for assignment.
DeShields is a defensive wizard who hasn’t produced at the plate in his career. Tucker is a familiar face who played for Atlanta earlier in his career. He posted solid all-around numbers for the Braves before Acuna’s call-up in 2018, and has since torn up the KBO. An argument for Tucker is that he’s a left-handed bat like Rosario. Prospect Drew Waters is currently injured, and the Braves probably wouldn’t move him around at this stage in his development anyways.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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