The Braves announced this morning that they’ve activated outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the injured list. Outfielder Jose Azocar was designated for assignment to make room for Fairchild on the active roster. They also activated infielder Nacho Alvarez from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Azocar, 29, departs Atlanta after getting into just two games and making a single plate appearance during his time with the club. Azocar made his big league debut with the Padres back in 2022 and appeared in 214 games at the big league level over the 2022-24 seasons, slashing .243/.287/.322 (74 wRC+) in 397 plate appearances along the way. That lackluster offensive production wasn’t enough to earn him a regular role on the club even in spite of his strong work with the glove in center field, where he accumulated +5 Outs Above Average during his time in San Diego. He’s performed better at the Triple-A level with a career .286/.322/.434 line in parts of five seasons spent at the level, but the outfielder’s speed and defense first profile ultimately made him expendable when San Diego faced a roster crunch late last year.
He was designated for assignment in September, but found himself claimed off waivers by the Mets shortly thereafter. He managed to stick on New York’s 40-man roster all throughout the offseason, but failed to make the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training and was designated for assignment shortly before the season began. He was assigned outright to the minors after clearing waivers, and found himself selected back onto the roster in mid-April after the club lost Jose Siri to the injured list. Azocar stuck on the club’s roster for six weeks but received just 20 total plate appearances across 12 games while being utilized primarily as a defensive replacement.
He hit a respectable enough .278/.350/.278 (88 wRC+) in that limited playing time but was designated for assignment in late May to make room for Jared Young on New York’s active roster. He cleared waivers once again and elected free agency before being scooped up by Atlanta almost immediately. The Braves will now have one week to either work out a trade involving Azocar or attempt to pass him through waivers. Should he go unclaimed, he’ll be able to either accept an outright assignment to the minors or elect free agency.
Azocar’s departure makes room for the return of Fairchild, who was placed on the shelf with a dislocated pinkie finger the same day Atlanta signed Azocar. Fairchild bounced between the Diamondbacks, Mariners, and Giants for a few years before settling with the Reds in 2022. He spent parts of three seasons with Cincinnati and was traded to Atlanta after he didn’t make the cut for the Reds’ Opening Day roster. Fairchild hasn’t hit much for the Braves this year with a .182/.250/.273 line in 36 plate appearances but is a career .247/.345/.407 hitter against lefties, which should make him a solid platoon partner for Alex Verdugo in left field going forward.
Why do they love using Fairchild regularly?
I think I’d rather have Azocar.
I think it is because of Fairchild’s defense. In his limited playing this year he has made some big plays defensively.
Neither of them however is very good.
Why does Rice play Texas?
“why do they love using Fairchild regularly?”. They don’t. He rarely does anything but pinch run.
From an ownership perspective, one dimensional players like Fairchild always work cheap. Since this season appears to be in the toilet, there’s no reason to pay more than minimum for mediocrity.
Ugh, now I have to listen to a vocal majority clamoring for Azocar to come back to the Padres.
He is not the answer in lf.
If that’s “the move” , “the answer” in lf, the season is not headed in the right direction.
He’s Wade/Lockridge. Value off the bench at this point.
The Braves trying to steal the limelight from The Giants /s
I would’ve kept nacho alvarez in the majors after activating him from the 60 day IL. Get rid of Fairchild
Alvarez has missed the entire season due to a wrist injury from ST until last week’s rehab appearances in rookie league ball. What makes Alvarez so appealing to you? He couldn’t hit a ML fastball and was played almost entirely at 3B when he was sent back to AAA Gwinnett after his ugly MLB debut last season. Hope the Braves find a trade partner for him the way they did Grissom. No future for him as a ML starting SS. Outside chance as a ML utility player w/best defensive home as a 3Bman w/no range at either SS or2B. No pull power, slappy contact hitter. IMO.
I’ll take sugar back in SD. He’s probably better than heyward, tbh.
Braves need to DFA half the bullpen
and Snit needs to GIT, as in “NOW GIT”!
GM messed up Knew needed pen arms and cheaped out. Hard to get now. They are in high demand so stuck
As for Snit. He is brain dead. Reporters need to ask him hard questions like why pitch Lee in a 12-4 and 4-0 games.
Liberty Media won’t let AA Spend enough.
The Battery is a cash cow that makes money year around even when they play out of town or not playing in off season. Plus the revenue from TV, Radio, Business partners endorsements, etc. They even recently purchased land with office buildings adjacent to Truist Park across I-75, BUT they won’t spend the money to improve the team!
Bottom line is AA has a Bottom Line imposed by Liberty Media (Atlanta Braves Holdings) whatever..
They may be hesitant to spend because of some of the underwater contracts, luxury tax or just in a holding pattern, don’t know..they are making money but don’t seem to want to invest in the team..as in PLAYERS ON THE FIELD! (Real Estate doesn’t improve the team!)!
Please come to grips w/the fact that Liberty Media has absolutely no say or control over the Braves spending. If you must to blame someone, lay that garbage on Terry McGuirk.
He will be here for two weeks as seems he will be cut when Profar comes back. Guy can’t hit a lick
Writers love him, Nick Allen and Eli White – they’re beyond worthless.
Then who’s Alvarez is it?
🖕