The Braves have activated two of the key figures from last year’s World Series run, outfielder Eddie Rosario and left-hander Tyler Matzek, from the injured list, the team announced today. To make room on the active roster, the club optioned infielder Mike Ford to Triple-A Gwinnett and designated right-hander Silvino Bracho for assignment.
While the Braves have been one of the hottest teams in baseball of late, Rosario’s and Matzek’s performances to open the season seemed to be emblematic of a bit of a championship hangover for an Atlanta squad that limped out of the gate. Both players’ issues proved the result of injuries, however: Rosario’s swelling in his right retina that required laser surgery and Matzek’s left shoulder inflammation that led to a significant drop in velocity.
Indeed, each will be looking to improve on rather unsightly lines, particularly by their recently elevated standards. In 49 trips to the plate in April, Rosario slashed an anemic .068/.163/.091 — good for a -24 wRC+ — before hitting the IL, while Matzek had seen his ERA climb from 2.57 last year to 5.06 through his first 10 2/3 innings this year that included an alarming dip in his strikeout rate (from 29.2% in 2021 to 21.3% in 2022) and an alarming spike in his walk rate (from 14% to 19.2%).
Should each return in top form, the already red-hot Braves — 23-7 since June 1st — could reach another gear in what figures to be a stellar race in the NL East. Matzek should slide back into a bullpen that leads the majors with 4.7 fWAR with little issue, but Rosario’s return could lead to something of a logjam in the outfield. When healthy, Ronald Acuña Jr. is the first name on Brian Snitker’s lineup card, and Michael Harris II has been a revelation in center field since a late-May call-up. Adam Duvall, who left Saturday’s game in Cincinnati after taking a pitch off the hand, has seen the bulk of the at-bats in left since Harris’ arrival, and Marcell Ozuna has primarily slotted in at DH, playing in left only on an as-needed basis.
Neither Duvall nor Ozuna has gotten off to a particularly hot start, however. Ozuna, who’s slashing .227/.280/.420, has hit for power and little else, while Duvall, who’s slashing a meager .205/.272/.376, has provided much-needed defensive versatility but has yet to show the level of power that’s been his calling card in the past. Too much talent vying for too few at-bats is a good problem to have, of course, but Snitker may have to get creative to get everyone in the lineup on a regular basis.
Ford, who logged only a walk in five trips to the plate since the Braves claimed him from the Mariners a few weeks ago, will return to the minors as organizational depth. If he clears waivers, Bracho, who covered a single scoreless inning in his stint with Atlanta, will likely do the same. Ford has logged a .194/.306/.395 career batting line in parts of four minor league seasons with the Yankees, Giants, Mariners, and Braves. Bracho, who had pitched in five prior seasons with the Diamondbacks, owns a career 4.76 ERA in 90 2/3 innings across 93 appearances.
Have Ford, Will Travel.
Never thought the supply of Ford jokes would ever be “exhausted”
Pinto was Fords’ better idea, hit’em in the back end, watch’em go off.
Pinto with Rays lol
Happy Birthday Mike.
Damn dropped down on his birthday
Happy birthday now pack your sh*t for gwennett!
I know it’s not perfect, but -1.2 bWAR in only 15 games is impressive.
Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!
Love that they are back, but I think people need to acknowledge Harris some more. Both Harris and Swanson are the Braves MVPs. If only Freeman was still in the lineup instead of Olson ((.
Time to move on from Freddie. He’s not coming back.
Hush. Allow me to cope please and let me imagine how much better this team would be right now with Freeman rather than Olson (both offensively and defensively).
I feel your pain. Nobody picks it like Freddie. Matt’s pretty good too, and he’ll settle in eventually.
Speaking of pain, you can’t mention Freeman without also mentioning his splits.
Freeman has 10 home runs and 50 rbi
Olson has 12 home runs and 43 rbi
Olson also has 31 doubles
Olson also allows Braves to have 6-7 million a year more spending dollars. Olson also wanted to be a Braves had no desire to test free agency signed under market value if he had hit free agency.
It’s obvious that some of you only look at statistics that support your stories rather than watching the games. The superior player is and has always been Freeman. Olson has been a letdown, albeit the Braves might have found far worse guys to replace him with. You can keep making arbitrary projections about Olson, but he will never be an MVP-caliber player like Freeman was, is, or will be in the next 3 years or so.
Olson switched leagues. His production should improve once he learns the pitchers.
Or justs learns to hit like Freeman and not try to hit 500 foot homers every at-bat.
Freddy got greedy, Chipper tried to tell him. Freddy has moved on Braves fan should also. In the long run I think we are better off with Olsen
Braves don’t need either of these guys right now. Like a good meal, re-heat them later on in the season, maybe they’ll taste good then.
How can you say that knowing Duvall and Ozuna are in the lineup every night? How can you say they don’t need Matzek knowing they don’t have Jansen and Smitty keeps making things too interesting in the late innings?
You sir, are a troll. Braves are 23-7 over the last 30 games. You, are the village idiot. The more you post, the dumber you look
@curly. I’m not even convinced he’s a Braves fan. Might be a metsfan22 burner.
And despite going 23-7, they are still 3.5 games back . In your world, adding the NLCS mvp is somehow not needed heading to a stretch of games against the Cards and Mets. Somehow you still want Ozuna despite being a liability. Are you mad that Olson cannot touch Freeman and you are projecting your anger on me? Are you sure you are not the village idiot?
The village idiot looks smart next to you.
Hopefully snit doesn’t burn out Matzeks arm again
too bad Adam Duvall is not around to sue you for slander for using his name what an idiot
Duvall is, what he is. He’s going to play good defense and he is going to hit 30 plus homers a year and a batting average of 220 to 260
Duvall is, what he is. He’s going to play good defense and he is going to hit 30 plus homers a year and a batting average of 220 to 260
@olereb You’re correct, he’ll heat up & when he does, everyone stops saying why?
I’ll tell yaw one thing I’m tired of people bashing Olsen because of Freeman. Freddy made his choice, I hate it for him that he ended up with less money with the Dodgers, but Freddy got what he wanted and deserved. I do think in the long road we will end up with the better deal in Olsen.
Olsen is younger and I think he has put some added pressure on himself, not that he is playing terribly. You just don’t win gold gloves without a reason. I watch the Braves every night and I saw against the Reds the bad throw he made, but I have also seen Freddy make errors. I’m going to say after the break he is going to relax and you will see he’s going to end up with what we traded for. I still say when all’s said and done, AA made a great deal.
Has everyone forgot that Matt Olson has hit a insane amount of doubles. Has Braves all time lead for doubles before all star break. Means he is putting a good swing on the ball just missing a few home runs. As of today Olson has more home runs than Freeman has.
Freeman didn’t want to be a Brave; Olson wanted to be a Braves. Embrace the first baseman who wanted to be with Atlanta.
I agree 100 percent with you, well said.
*Freddie
Lotta whiney Braves fans in here.
1.5 game lead. Your LOLMets seem to be starting the choke job early this season.