The Atlanta Braves have made a strategic move to bolster their lineup after losing third baseman Austin Riley for the remainder of the regular season due to a broken hand. The team announced on Tuesday that they have signed veteran infielder Gio Urshela to help fill the void.
Urshela, 32, joins the Braves on a minor league contract, bringing with him valuable experience and versatility. The Braves were forced to place Riley on the 10-day injured list following his injury, and pitcher A.J. Minter was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create space on the 40-man roster for Urshela.
Riley, 27, has been a key player for the Braves this season, posting a .256 batting average with 19 home runs and 56 RBIs over 110 games. The two-time All-Star has been a consistent power hitter, having hit at least 30 home runs in each of the previous three seasons. His absence is a significant loss for the team, with Riley expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Urshela brings a solid track record to Atlanta. This season, he hit .243 with one home run and 37 RBIs across 92 games for the Detroit Tigers before being released. Over his career, Urshela has maintained a .273 batting average with 69 home runs in 756 MLB games. He has played for several teams, including the Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels.
The Braves, currently sitting in second place in the National League East with a 66-58 record, are seven games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies. They also hold the third Wild Card spot in the National League, making every game crucial as they push toward the playoffs.
The Braves will face the Phillies at 7:20 p.m. EDT on Tuesday in Atlanta, with Urshela expected to play a key role in their lineup as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
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