The Atlanta Braves' outfield is getting healthier.
Two days after activating superstar right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. off the injured list, the Braves reinstated speedy outfielder Eli White from the IL on Wednesday.
As a result, outfielder Jose Azocar was designated for assignment to make room for White on the roster.
White had been on the IL since May 11 with concussion symptoms.
He will now serve as backup outfielder and will likely play against left-handed pitching. White is slashing .281/.314/.469 with a .783 OPS versus southpaws this season. This is unusual for his career .199 batting average against lefty pitching.
White also brings tremendous speed to the Braves' roster. The veteran outfielder is tied with Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals for the fastest sprint speed in baseball at 30.4 ft/second. However, he only has one stolen base this year.
On the season, White is hitting .237/.258/.390 with a .648 OPS, two home runs and 10 RBI in 26 games. This is White's fourth season with the Braves after spending the first three years of his career with the Texas Rangers.
The Braves have a deep outfield now with Acuna and White back from the shelf. Beyond this duo, Atlanta's outfield depth is made up of Michael Harris II, Mauricio Dubon and Mike Yastrzemski.
The Braves lost breakout catcher Drake Baldwin to the IL due to a right oblique strain on Tuesday. They're also without their backup catcher, Sean Murphy, who broke his left middle finger earlier in the month.
Atlanta enters play on Wednesday with the most wins in baseball and best record in the National League at 33-16. The first place Braves are eight games up on the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East division.
As it stands, the Braves look like they're going to run away with the division in 2026.
