Atlanta Braves have sent Vaughn Grissom, one of their top prospects, to Triple-A Gwinnett, making veteran utility infielder Orlando Arcia the likely replacement for Dansby Swanson as the Braves’ starter at shortstop. Grissom had been widely expected to replace Swanson, but the team sent him down despite his impressive form this spring. Arcia, who made 43 starts at second base last season, appeared in only one game at shortstop, but his experience and defensive skills make him the better option for the Braves at shortstop. In other Braves news, right-hander Kyle Wright made his first Grapefruit League start on Monday after having to stop throwing for three weeks during the offseason following a cortisone injection in January. Wright’s shoulder is feeling great, and he is expected to make one more Grapefruit League start before remaining in Florida to pitch in a minor league game after the Braves break camp next week. He expressed confidence that he will be ready to pitch for Atlanta at St. Louis in the team’s second series of the regular season.
Atlanta Braves Option Grissom to Minors, Clearing Arcia to Start at SS
The Atlanta Braves have made the surprising decision to option one of their top prospects, Vaughn Grissom, to Triple-A Gwinnett. The move paves the way for veteran utility infielder, Orlando Arcia, as the Braves’ probable starter at shortstop. The announcement came after the Braves’ 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday.
Grissom and Braden Shewmake were both optioned to Gwinnett, leaving Arcia as the likely replacement for Dansby Swanson, who left the Braves for the Chicago Cubs in free agency this offseason. Grissom had been heavily tipped to replace Swanson, but he was sent down despite going 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI and run scored, raising his batting average to .371 in 12 games this spring.
Arcia, who made 43 starts at second base for the Braves last season and hit .244 in 67 games overall, appeared in only one game at shortstop. He started 59 games at shortstop for Milwaukee in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season before being traded to the Braves in April 2021.
Grissom made his big league debut last season, hitting .291 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 41 games for the Braves. He started 39 games at second base and one at shortstop. Shewmake, a first-round pick by the Braves in the 2019 amateur draft, is still looking to make his MLB debut.
The Braves’ decision to send Grissom to the minors is a surprise, given his impressive form this spring. However, it appears that the team believes Arcia’s experience and defensive skills make him the better option at shortstop.
In other Braves news, right-hander Kyle Wright made his first Grapefruit League start in the win over the Rays. Wright, who was baseball’s only 20-game winner last season, had stopped throwing for three weeks during the offseason after a cortisone injection in his shoulder in January. He allowed five hits, including two home runs, and four runs over 2⅔ innings against Tampa Bay. Wright was on a pitch limit and departed after 49 pitches.
It remains to be seen how the Braves’ new lineup will perform in the regular season, but with Arcia’s experience and Grissom’s potential, the team appears to be in a strong position.
Kyle Wright’s Shoulder Feeling Good, Likely to Start in Braves’ Second Series
Atlanta Braves right-hander Kyle Wright has reported that his shoulder is feeling great, which is good news for the team after he had to stop throwing for three weeks during the offseason following a cortisone injection in January. The Braves have been easing Wright back into pitching, and he made his first Grapefruit League start on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wright allowed five hits, including two home runs, and four runs over 2⅔ innings in the game. However, he expressed confidence that he will be ready to pitch for Atlanta at St. Louis in the team’s second series of the regular season. He is expected to make one more Grapefruit League start before remaining in Florida to pitch in a minor league game after the Braves break camp next week.
Wright had a breakout season last year, going 21-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 30 starts. The 27-year-old was 2-8 in 21 games (14 starts) in the previous four seasons combined for the Braves.
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