Following the horrific injury update for third baseman Austin Riley, the Atlanta Braves have made a move for Gio Urshela. With Riley out for at least the rest of the 2024 MLB regular season, the Braves allegedly reached an agreement with infielder Gio Urshela.
Atlanta’s interest in Urshela was first revealed by Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Tuesday morning.
“Gio Urshela, who was released by the Tigers on Sunday, is close to signing a major league contract with the Braves, The Post has learnt. Atlanta announced Monday that third baseman Austin Riley will miss 6-8 weeks due to a fractured right hand.
Nearly an hour after Sherman made the information on X (previously Twitter), Jon Heyman of the New York Post confirmed that Urshela “does indeed have a deal with the Braves.”
After it was apparent that Riley had fractured his hand, the Braves moved quickly to locate help at third base. His ailment is expected to last six to eight weeks, which means he will be available in the 2024 MLB postseason – assuming the Braves make the playoffs.
Will Gio Urshela provide solutions for the Braves during Austin Riley’s absence?
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) throws to first for an out against Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) in the third inning at Angel Stadium.
Meanwhile, Urshela has a new opportunity to increase his stock. He was released by the Detroit Tigers on Monday and now has the opportunity to contribute to a possible postseason contender. Urshela batted.243/.286/.333 in 92 Tigers appearances this season, including five home runs and 37 RBIs. Urshela has only had an 81 OPS+ since 2023, including a stint with the Los Angeles Angels, with a hitting line of.267/.304/.350.
The Tigers signed Urshela to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, and they will continue to pay his wages. For the Braves, they will only have to pay Urshela the league minimum based on his time on the big league roster on the injured list.
Atlanta will strike gold with his signing of Urshela if he can replicate his performance from 2019 with the New York Yankees. That season, Urshela made headlines by hitting.314/.355/.534 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs in 132 games and 476 plate appearances, enough for a 133 OPS+.
The Braves entered Tuesday with a 66-58 record, seven games behind the National League East division-leading Philadelphia Phillies. Currently, they hold the third and last wild-card slot in the National League. Speaking of the Phillies, the Braves will play a key series against them beginning this Tuesday evening.
