The Braves announced this morning that they’ve selected the contract of outfielder Jose Azocar to the major league roster. Azocar just elected free agency two days ago after being outrighted by the Mets. Atlanta hadn’t announced their signing of him, but it seems he signed a minor league pact and has quickly been summoned to the majors. In a concerning development, righty AJ Smith-Shawver, who was recently placed on the IL due to an elbow strain, has already been transferred to the 60-day injured list. He’ll now miss at least two months of action.
Atlanta also placed outfielder Stuart Fairchild on the 10-day IL with a dislocated pinkie finger, optioned righty Michael Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd.
Azocar, 29, appeared in a dozen games for the Mets this year and went 5-for-18 (all singles). He’s seen action in each of the past four MLB seasons, primarily with the Padres, and carries a career .245/.290/.320 slash with two homers and 19 steals in 417 plate appearances.
The righty-swinging Azocar’s game is focused on defense and baserunning, much like the injured Fairchild, who he’s effectively replacing on Atlanta’s roster. Azocar is actually a narrow tick faster, averaging 28.9 ft/sec to Fairchild’s 28.7, per Statcast’s measurements. The specifics aren’t all that important with a gap that small; the larger takeaway is that the Braves aren’t losing any speed off the bench and are swapping out the injured Fairchild for another solid defender who can handle all three outfield spots. There is, however, a notable gap in offensive skill set. Neither is a plus hitter overall, but Fairchild has solid splits against lefties in his big league career. Azocar, despite swinging right-handed, actually has considerably better career marks versus righties than lefties.
The news on Smith-Shawver comes as a significant concern. He started the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader but was tagged for two runs in 2 2/3 innings before departing with elbow discomfort. Atlanta placed him on the 15-day IL with an elbow strain between starts. The immediate move to the 60-day IL rules Smith-Shawver out until at least late July, and the specter of an even lengthier absence will now loom until the Braves provide a more detailed update on his status.
Smith-Shawver’s injury is the latest in a long line of notable injuries for Atlanta this year. The former top prospect was among the leaders in a weak National League Rookie of the Year field. Through his first seven starts, Smith-Shawver coasted to a terrific 2.33 ERA, fanning nearly a quarter of his opponents (albeit against a less-encouraging 10.6% walk rate). Things have taken an ugly turn over his past two starts. The Nats trounced him for seven runs in three innings last week, and he was shaky before being lifted from yesterday’s start.
Smith-Shawver joins Reynaldo Lopez and Joe Jimenez as key pitchers on the 60-day injured list for the Braves. Atlanta has also endured notable absences from ace Spencer Strider, star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and catcher Sean Murphy, though all three are healthy and active at the moment.
Good move Braves
Perhaps the Braves can be your new team?
Smh.
What does Craig Kimbrel have to do to get called up?? He’s been lights out at AAA.
saving him for the playoff run
Idosteroids: What playoff run?
none of the relievers they would replace for him have options, AA is just waiting for an injury to happen so he doesn’t have to sacrifice depth.
Iglesias is just one batter away from a strained neck as he turned with a befuddled expressions to see how far his slider got hit. Funny thing is his pitches looked good and still got hammered in his last outing. Has to be tipping pitches or fallen into a pattern. I saw a sharp breaking slider knee just off the edge of the plate get hit to the wall. That was when iglesias turned befuddled and watched the ball fly, i was confused too.
They chose Azocar over Kelenic to replace Fairchild. Wondering if Kelenic will not see the MLB roster for the remainder of the season
kelenic doesn’t have the speed of azocar and is also a lefty, which they don’t need.
the official designated pinch runner for Ozuna or murphy in the 9th inning
nidorito: Not to mention that Kelenic sucks and can’t really hit MLB pitching.
That’s the real issue.
Nidorito: Two excellent comments in a row. They could use you on some other threads.
I’m wondering why they chose Azocar over Kelenic, who has been playing well in Gwinett?
Swap a right for a righty.. Verdugo and Kelenic are essentially the same player.
speed and righty, similar to fairchild. kelenic doesn’t really offer anything that verdugo doesn’t.
EM41: I’m wondering why you don’t realize that Kelenic is a bust who can’t hit MLB pitching. He’s become a AAAA player.
Good luck A.S.S. See you in two months… hopefully
A.J.S.S.?
2026 more likely
2027 more likely
Oh goodie. Braves are still grabbing Mets table scraps. Cano and Guillorme nod their approval.
Ender Inciarte nods back
Guess Sugar is not coming back to SD.
Can someone please explain why the Braves wouldn’t have just taken him on waivers from the Mets if they wanted him? I could see it if he was making more than league minimum, since that would leave the Mets on the hook for the amount over it. But he’s presumably just at minimum. Would they need to pay a fee to the Mets if they took him?
@Bill that’s because the Braves weren’t interested in him until Fairchild got hurt