The Braves have been kicked while they are down repeatedly this season, and yesterday’s news feels like it could be the final nail in Atlanta’s coffin, with Austin Riley lost for the next six to eight weeks.
It’s been one injury after another in this season from hell, but somehow, the club keeps on fighting. They own the final spot in the Wild Card, 1.5 games ahead of the Mets and 3.5 games ahead of the Giants.
With 38 games to go, nobody in Atlanta’s clubhouse is feeling sorry for themselves. Alex Anthopoulos is doing all he can too, adding Austin Riley‘s potential replacement in the form of Gio Urshela.
Gio Urshela, released on Sunday by the Tigers, is closing in on a major league agreement with the Braves, The Post has learned. Atlanta announced Monday that third baseman Austin Riley would be lost 6-8 weeks with a fractured right hand.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 20, 2024
The 32-year-old had some success from 2019 to 2022 but struggled in 2023 before hitting free agency. Injuries limited him to just 62 games with the Angels last year, allowing the Tigers to nab him on a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
Detroit had to be excited to get a veteran at such a low price, given his track record across those four seasons. With the Yankees and Twins, Urshela hit 54 home runs in 435 games and slashed .290/.336/.463 for a wRC+ of 118.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Urshela has not been able to replicate that success this year. He’s hit just five home runs with a forgettable .243/.286/.333 slash line that translates to a 73 wRC+, or 27% below league average.
However, Austin Riley’s potential replacement has been hot as of late, with a .265/.342/.412 slash line and 108 wRC+ in August. It’s a small sample size, but what better options do the Braves have?
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