Atlanta Braves Activate Adonis Garcia – Eric O’Flaherty
By Fred Owens
This afternoon the Atlanta Braves made the roster moves expected with the hope that it will improve things on both sides of the ball.
As predicted this time last week the Atlanta Braves activated Adonis Garcia and Eric O’Flaherty from the disabled list. What wasn’t expected but might have been predicted was the other move they made.
Garcia injured his achilles tendon and went on the disabled list May 16th. He was eligible to return last week but the Braves sent him to Gwinnett for a rehab stint. At Gwinnett he went 6 for 15 including three doubles in 17 PA over five games.
Atlanta Braves
O’Flaherty joined Garcia on the DL on May 20 with a lower back strain. He made two appearances for the G-Braves throwing an inning and one-third before today’s recall.
Two up two down
To make way for Garcia and EOF the Braves optioned Matt Wisler to Gwinnett and. . . wait for it. . designated Emilio Bonifacio for assignment. Wisler had good results in his two appearance out of the pen this time but the EOF required a 25 man spot.
Bonifacio was awful all year and the fact that he stayed this long is just odd. The sudden reappearance of Danny Santana’s bat cost the veteran his roster spot. Have no fear Bonifacio fans, I doubt anyone will claim him so you’ll be able to watch him at Gwinnett soon.
Another Move
The Braves also made another move to strengthen the bench and their defense recalling Johan Camargo for Gwinnett. While most would have liked to see a real outfielder like Lane Adams, Xavier Avery or Mel Rojas Jr called up, Camargo give them a slick fielding infielder to back up at second and short. Camargo’s was up briefly earlier this year going 2 for 11 with five strikeouts. He was having a stellar year so far at Gwinnett posting a .311/.353/.500/.853 line with four homers, nine doubles and a triple, seven walks and 20 strikeouts in 134 PA.
Leaving the big city to make room for Camargo is fan favorite Jace Peterson. Jace had a solid year in 2016 but struggled at the plate from the start of the season. As he fought his offensive woes hos defense began to suffer making him an obvious candidate for demotion.
That’s A Wrap
The changes mean that Santana is now our fourth outfielder, Camargo assumes the play anywhere player by virtue of being a better infielder if for no other reason.
The hot bat and good defense of Rio Ruiz earned him a longer visit with Atlanta. Most thought it would be a straight platoon of Ruiz against right handers and Garcia against lefties.
Next: Relievers got their groove back
Apparently manager Brian Snitker didn’t get the memo as Garcia started against Bronson Arroyo tonight. The rational is likely that Arroyo is a soft tosser giving Garcia a better shot of having a good game. Garcia started using that advantage by singling in his first at bat.
Hopefully the moves makes the Braves defense strong enough to keep our contact pitchers in the game longer.