As the report heard here earlier suggested, Gio Urshela to the Atlanta Braves is now confirmed.
The #Braves today signed INF Gio Urshela to a major league contract and placed INF Austin Riley on the 10-day injured list, backdated to August 19, with a fractured right hand. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred A.J. Minter to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 20, 2024
Urshela, veteran of six Major League teams, has added a seventh team today as he has signed a major league contract with the Braves. Gio was released by the Tigers on the same day as Riley’s HBP and injury, and was quickly linked with a move to the Braves. Justin Toscano reports that he will be available for tonight’s game with the Phillies.
Gio Urshela will be active for Tuesday’s series opener against the Phillies.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 20, 2024
Gio brings a career .273/.318/.412 line with a 99 wRC+ mark and 7.4 WAR. At this point, he is roughly replacement level for an organization that has been forced into doing a lot of replacing. He hits right handed and brings 69 career home runs to Atlanta. Hopefully, he will get familiar with the Chop House very soon.
Look, we got what we got. Whit Merrifield can’t take over at third until Ozzie Albies returns. I don’t think the organization is interested in moving Matt Olson to third and putting Marcell Ozuna at first, and even if they were the catcher situation probably isn’t physically healthy enough to support the DH spot. Gio will be fine, and will help the Braves tread water until the injuries hopefully fade.
