The Braves announced today that outfielder Michael Harris II has been reinstated from the paternity list. In a corresponding move, infielder Luke Williams has been designated for assignment. Atlanta’s 40-man roster count drops from 39 to 38.
Williams was only selected to the big league roster this past weekend when Harris went on paternity leave. He appeared in two games with Atlanta and took one plate appearance, drawing a walk in that lone trip to the batter’s box.
This is now four straight seasons in which Williams, 29, has suited up for Atlanta. He’s a clear favorite of the organization, even if his production in the majors hasn’t amounted to much. The 2015 third-rounder (Phillies) has totaled 350 plate appearances in the big leagues but sports just a .212/.272/.280 batting line. He’s a versatile defender with a decent track record in the upper minors, however.
Williams has played all four infield positions, all three outfield spots and even taken 11 innings of mop-up relief in his big league career. His career line in Triple-A is weighed down a bit by an especially rocky showing there last season, but he’s still a lifetime .255/.333/.401 hitter at the top minor league level, including a .282/.344/.495 slash in 55 games in 2024.
This is the fourth DFA of Williams’ career (not counting the original 2023 waiver claim that sent him from L.A. to Atlanta, as he wasn’t formally designated for assignment prior to being placed on waivers). The Braves have successfully passed him through waivers unclaimed on three separate occasions since first claiming him from the Dodgers. He’ll be placed on waivers or traded within the next five days, and the outcome of his DFA will be known within the next seven days, at maximum. (Waivers are a 48-hour process.) Williams will have the right to reject an outright assignment if he clears waivers, but even if he does, recent history tells us there’s a good chance he’d re-sign with the organization and head back to Triple-A Gwinnett anyhow.
In his career Luke Williams has probably been most effective as an emergency pitcher than anything he has done at the plate.
He actually does have nice stats as a limited pitcher.