The Braves have signed outfielder Eddie Rosario to a minor league contract, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Rosario will start his latest stint with the organization at Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves have also announced several other transactions, including the selection of outfielder Eli White’s contract to the big league roster. Forrest Wall was optioned to Triple-A to make room for White on the 26-man roster, while left-hander Ray Kerr was transferred to the 60-man roster to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.
Rosario was released by the Nationals just yesterday after being designated for assignment on Monday. Despite his release, no one claimed him off waivers, which would have meant taking on his approximately $950K salary for the season. If Rosario is called up to the Braves’ active roster, they will only owe him a prorated portion of the Major League minimum salary, with the rest covered by the Nationals.
After a lackluster three months with the Nationals, where he struggled at the plate, hitting only .183/.226/.329 with seven home runs, Rosario will now look to make an impact with the Braves. It was expected that he would be a trade chip for the Nationals, but his performance led to his release without a return. Now, back with Atlanta, Rosario will aim for a repeat of his successful 2021 season.
Rosario had a rough start to the 2021 season with Cleveland before being picked up by the Braves at the trade deadline, which led to a memorable run culminating in a World Series victory. However, the Braves declined his option for 2024 after a challenging 2022 campaign. With some solid numbers from last year, there is hope for a resurgence for Rosario in Atlanta, even if a repeat of 2021 may be a tall order.
Rosario’s return to Atlanta comes amidst injuries in the Braves’ outfield, with several key players on the mend. With the team short-handed, Rosario can provide some left-handed hitting support and depth until the injured players return. White, on the other hand, is set for his first MLB action of the season after a strong showing in Triple-A, despite being plagued by injuries in recent years.
Kerr’s move to the 60-day IL was expected after news of his Tommy John surgery, which could sideline him for the entire 2025 season. With a need for a 40-man roster spot, the Braves made the necessary move to accommodate Kerr’s situation.
