Braves’ outfield receives boost ahead of Marlins clash

The Atlanta Braves bolstered their outfield depth ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with the Miami Marlins by reinstating Eli White from the 7-day concussion injured list. To clear roster space, Atlanta designated Jose Azocar for assignment after his productive nine-game stretch with the team.

White had been out of action since May 11 after suffering concussion symptoms on a game-saving catch during the Braves’ series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 31-year-old skipped a rehab assignment and returned directly to the major league roster. He is likely to resume his role as a reserve outfielder and right-handed option against left-handed pitching.

White has produced a .237/.258/.390 slash line with two home runs and 10 RBI across 26 games this season. Against left-handed pitching, however, he has been far more effective, compiling a .281/.314/.469 line with a .783 OPS. He also brings exceptional speed to Atlanta’s roster, tying Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for the fastest sprint speed in Major League Baseball at 30.4 feet per second.

White’s return comes two days after Ronald Acuna Jr. was activated from the injured list, giving the Braves a healthier and deeper outfield rotation that also includes Michael Harris II, Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski. White is expected to rotate into favorable matchups, particularly against left-handed starters, with Yastrzemski potentially losing playing time in those situations.

Azocar’s removal from the roster came despite impressive offensive production during his latest run with Atlanta. The 30-year-old hit .333 with an .842 OPS in nine games while contributing a 137 wRC+ and a .333/.375/.467 slash line overall. He recorded five hits in 15 at-bats as a part-time contributor after being recalled earlier this month when Acuna went down with a leg injury.

The Braves enter Wednesday with the best record in the National League at 33-16 and hold an eight-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. While Atlanta’s outfield depth has improved with the returns of Acuna and White, the Braves remain short-handed behind the plate after Drake Baldwin landed on the injured list with a right oblique strain and Sean Murphy fractured his left middle finger earlier in the month.

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