The Braves announced today that they’ve selected the contract of veteran backstop Chris Stewart. Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first indicated that the veteran backstop was returning to the Majors (via Twitter). Stewart has been playing at Triple-A since being outrighted earlier this season.
The reason for the promotion seems to be an injury to catcher Kurt Suzuki, which he sustained last night upon being hit on the elbow/triceps area by a fastball from Pirates righty Clay Holmes. Fortunately, the Atlanta organization announced earlier today that Suzuki was cleared of a fracture and has been diagnosed only with a left triceps contusion. Whether a stint on the DL will be required is not yet known, but if one is deemed necessary, it doesn’t seem that it’ll come today. Outfielder Michael Reed was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to open roster space for Stewart’s return.
Stewart, 36, rarely strikes out but has never hit much in the majors and has struggled in particular since the start of the 2016 season. He’s slashing only .209/.287/.269 this year in 152 Triple-A plate appearances with Gwinnett. Still, Stewart is regarded as a sturdy, defensive-minded reserve option to have on hand and will be trusted to support Tyler Flowers as needed while Suzuki is unavailable. He’s gone 10-for-27 (37 percent) in halting stolen bases at the Triple-A level this season and has a solid track record in terms of pitch framing.
Kurt has a baseball magnet on his arm or something, I swear. Guy gets hit all the time.
That may be true but this time he just had the misfortune of batting against Clay Holmes.
Glad Stewart will get another day in the sun for the Braves. Liked him when he was with the Pirates. He never did hit for a great average but it seemed that when he did get a hit, it was timely and led to some scoring.
Is this the Same Chris Stewart who grow up down the street from me? Canadian?
Chris Stewart was a solid backup for the Pirates for I think the last four years and it will be interesting to see if he gets a nice reception if he plays tonight in Pittsburgh.
Watching Suzuki get nailed on the elbow last night made my own elbow twinge in pain. Hopefully he recovers quickly and fully.
I always wonder about pitches like the one that nailed Kurt Suzuki. Just go and have a look at it and tell me that the pitcher was trying to bust Suzuki inside or move him away from the plate. It looked more intentional to me than an ‘accident’, and you’ll note that hardly ever do pitchers apologise when they didn’t ‘intend’ to hit someone and it was ‘accidental’.
I doubt it though,although I admit I did not see it,as he would not have a reason to do so.
I just do not think Holmes has too much control.
I have to admit that I have never forgiven you for turning traitor and beating Barry Bonds’ throw to the plate in 1992.
Pitchers hardly ever apologize even if it was accidental. It’s part of the game.