The last of the Braves’ July 30 trade acquisitions has arrived.
Outfielder Eddie Rosario was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday. The newcomer had been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett as he worked his way back from an abdominal strain.
Rosario hit .196/.226/.471 with two doubles, four homers and 16 RBIs across 13 games with Gwinnett. He played better recently than his overall numbers indicate (he ended on a 9-for-31 run). His solo homer was the difference in the Stripers’ victory Thursday.
“I’m ready for anything, and I’m here to help the team any way I can,” Rosario said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “I feel really good right now. That first week (in Gwinnett), I was a little timid because of the injury. I was a little reluctant to give it a full go. But as I got more at-bats, I felt more and more comfortable, and the numbers started to show. Good on the team for taking its time with this injury and letting it heal properly. I feel really good.”
The Braves acquired Rosario from the Indians at the trade deadline in exchange for infielder Pablo Sandoval. The move was a salary dump for Cleveland. The Braves are paying Rosario about $1.95 million of the remaining $8 million on his one-year deal. They added around $6 million to payroll at the deadline overall.
Rosario, 29, hit .254 with 15 doubles, seven homers and 46 RBIs across 78 games this season. His offense should bolster the Braves’ bench, which has improved with the additions since July. The team also added outfielders Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler before the deadline, remaking an outfield that lost MVP candidate Ronald Acuna and Marcell Ozuna.
The team doesn’t have a set role for Rosario, but he’ll add left-handed offense off the bench.
“(Rosario) is just going to add more outfield depth and an experienced hitter off the bench,” manager Brian Snitker said. “There’s no set plans going forward, but we’ll just see how it all works out.”
The Braves designated outfielder Abraham Almonte for assignment to open a spot for Rosario. Almonte hit .218/.333/.401 with five homers, 19 RBIs and 20 runs scored in 63 games. He made 37 starts for the Braves before the trade deadline moves pushed Almonte out of the mix.
Rosario is the final expected non-pitcher addition for the Braves down the stretch. The Braves’ turnaround has been sparked by several newcomers. Along with their outfield trades, the team acquired reliever Richard Rodriguez, who’s played an important role in stabilizing the bullpen, and saw catcher Travis d’Arnaud and right-hander Huascar Ynoa return from injury. Starting pitcher Ian Anderson is expected back Sunday.
The Braves entered Friday at 68-58, 5-1/2 games ahead of the second-place Phillies in the National League East.
“I’m happy to be part of this team,” Rosario said. “It’s a winning team. We’re winning right now. That’s my only goal, to help the team any way I can and keep winning.”
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