The Braves announced Friday that they’ve selected the contract of veteran utilityman Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Gwinnett and transferred infielder Ehire Adrianza to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Culberson will take the 26-man roster spot of prospect Braden Shewmake, who was optioned to Gwinnett after last night’s game. Adrianza had been on a rehab assignment after landing on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, but he’s now dealing with a left shoulder strain.
Culberson, 34, has struggled in Gwinnett this season, slashing just .204/.234/.255 in 107 trips to the plate. He has a lengthy track record of better output than that in the Majors, however, and is a known commodity for a Braves organization that rostered him from 2018-20. Culberson suited up for 230 games with the Braves and hit .265/.314/.454 in 473 plate appearances, including a career-best year in 2018 that saw him reach career-highs in both home runs (12) and doubles (18).
Over the past few seasons, Culberson’s production has dropped off. He’s posted a .244/.289/.371 batting line in 402 trips to the plate dating back to 2020, mostly spending time with the Rangers during that stretch. The Braves will hope that a return to his native Georgia can also bring about a return to top form.
Culberson has appeared at every position on the diamond other than catcher and center field in his decade-long career, including 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball in mop-up duty (albeit with just one strikeout). Third base has been his primary position in the Majors, but he has more than 400 innings at second base, at shortstop and in left field as well. Culberson has generally struggled against right-handed pitching (.217/.277/.348), but he’s a .285/.313/.431 hitter against lefties in his career.
Adrianza, 33, appeared in just five games with the Braves before landing on the injured list. He went hitless in 11 plate appearances during that time. The versatile switch-hitter is a career .238/.308/.352 batter in 1550 plate appearances between the Twins, Giants, Braves and Nationals. It’s not immediately clear when he’ll be expected to return. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
Dumb move. He isn’t good anymore. Waste of a bench bat.
Wouldn’t take much to be more productive than Adrianza. He’s done nothing on either side of the ball since returning.
Ehire never had a heyday.
Bench bats have lost their value with the DH in the NL.
He’s supposed to be a real solid clubhouse leader for what that’s worth…
I think they just wanted Shewmake getting everyday AB’s in AAA
I was a little surprised it wasn’t Solak coming up, but I guess AA and Snit prefer the known commodity. Probably about the same production from either guy
I’d had even brought up pinder before culberson, he’s close to Charlie’s hits season total in just yesterdays game lol
He’s healthy, he’s versatile, he’s back! But is he productive? Let’s take it from the top – He’s healthy, he’s versatile, he’s back!
The main requirement for the 26th man is to not suck at 6 positions.
I’m surprised they didn’t go with Yolmer Sanchez. Sanchez is out performing Culberson at AAA unless maybe Culberson has an opt-out date coming up?
Pretty sure it couldn’t be Shewmake recalled since he was just sent down yesterday. Believe they have to wait 10 days before bringing him back. Thus, Charlie got the call.
As an aside, not sold on Arcia as an everyday player. Would much prefer Shewmake be given the shot at the everyday SS gig after they decided Grissom wasn’t a SS. Shewmake was a #1 draft choice. Let’s see if he can play.
BTW, hoping they are getting Grissom work in LF while he’s at AAA.
Snitker likes to ride the hot hand, and Arcia is definitely hot right now. He’s helping them win games. If he cools off, they’ll bring up someone else.
Arcia was in there for his defense; which was known to be average or better. That’s what Atlanta wanted; we saw with Grissom that is defense was actually hurting Atlanta more than helping. Shoemake needed more at bats to see if his offense would improve.
I would be very surprised if Grissom was taking any innings in the outfield this year. Atlanta needs see him at triple a see if he can handle infield in a long sample. Also his bat is more of a contact type bat when going good doesn’t have the power that you want out of an outfielder.
I am probably going get laugh at for this but I really think that Grissom goes in a trade this summer; his value is as high as it is going to be. Atlanta doesn’t have a lot of minor league depth to trade away it would make perfect sense. Atlanta is going need something this summer.
If it were me I would not trade grissom, trading him would deplete the system that doesn’t have much left of top talent. I’d try to move shoemake first. Unless your getting back someone who is under control for years to come.
AJ Smith-Shawver making his AAA debut tonight — guy is breezing through MiLB and I wouldn’t be surprised, with some strong showings, him getting a few GS at the big league level – post-AS Break – in a worst-case scenario.
I noticed that, too. Doesn’t it make one wonder though if he’s being rushed? He’s been lights out no doubt, but I do question the quick promotions.
There’s the possibility that the Braves don’t want AJSS pitching in AA Miss because milb is experimenting w/a new tacky baseball there. Might think that their best pitching prospect is better off not pitching w/a tacky ball that might skew his development.
FW
The Braves have a history of quick promotions and most have worked out well. Yes Harris is struggling right now, but I feel like he will turn it around any day. Yes, Strider is older but he was a relatively quick promotion too and now he is dominant and in the talk for CY Young.
Granted not everyone excels like Strider and Harris have, but the quick promotions happen a lot. So if he continues to dominate at AAA and the Braves need another SP at the MLB level then why not go with him?
Dodger legend.
He had his moments in Texas also but yes, his Dodgers days are famous with Vince Scully, etc.
An ok move .. Shewmake wasn’t going to see the light of day and he needs to be playing g everyday ! Charlie is good to have around because he can play multiple positions in a pinch .. Probably won’t see much of him unless there are injuries …
Yep I don’t get the fuss. This spot won’t play much for this team. It’s a depth move. Probably gets maybe 1 AB a week and occasionally pinch runs.
Also has the best hair in the division.
Didn’t we see him drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic’s?
Apple tv sucks. Just thought I’d put that out there.
I feel some better now.
@wifflemeister I agree fully! Here we are Paying a 100 and something dollars to get all the games. Oh but wait you only get to watch the ones that we can’t sell to other people. The same thing goes for ESPN! Or Fox depending on what game they plan to play in your local area. OK I’ll take a deep breath.
With you on Apple. I absolutely can’t stand it. Now three of us feel better.