The Atlanta Braves have designated outfielder Jose Azocar for assignment on Thursday, a corresponding move after reinstating Eli White from the paternity list. In 11 games with the Braves, Azocar provided strong offensive production, slashing .353/.389/.471 with a .859 OPS.
Azocar, 30, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta over the offseason and has bounced back and forth between the 40-man roster multiple times this season, filling in during outfield injuries. It's unfortunate news for Azocar, who is now out of options, meaning the Braves risk losing him on waivers if another team claims him.
Atlanta appears willing to take that chance. The Braves sit at 53-38, lead the National League East, and are closing in on getting Ronald Acuna Jr. back.
Manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that Acuna could begin a rehab assignment in the next week, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, with a return targeted for after the All-Star break.
Acuna has been out since straining his left hamstring on June 9 in Chicago, the same leg that cost him 14 games in May with a similar injury. His return would give the Braves a projected outfield mix and ease the roster crunch that made Azocar expendable in the first place.
White, meanwhile, steps back into a fourth outfielder role now activated off the paternity list, giving the Braves bench depth while they wait on Acuna.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The true test will be if Acuna comes back healthy and remains healthy as the team heads into the second half of the season.
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