Whit Merrifield agrees to sign with Braves

A day after losing Ozzie Albies to a broken left wrist, the Braves made a pair of moves aimed at softening the loss of their three-time All-Star second baseman.

Atlanta signed all-arounder Whit Merrifield to a major league contract Monday and recalled its No. 5 prospect, Nacho Alvarez Jr., from Triple-A. Merrifield, himself a three-time All-Star, was released by the Phillies on July 12 after hitting .199 with a .572 OPS in 53 games. He is expected to add depth to the Braves’ infield.

Alvarez, who has played mostly shortstop so far in the minor leagues, is expected to play second base for Atlanta. In 76 games this season between Double-A and Triple-A, Alvarez is hitting .293 with seven homers, 39 RBIs and an .818 OPS. Since being promoted to Triple-A on June 12, he is hitting .336 with a 1.007 OPS in 28 games.

The loss of Albies is the second major blow for the Braves on Sunday. Atlanta also lost All-Star left-hander Max Fried to neuritis in his left forearm, which is expected to keep him out for at least two weeks. And those two losses are just the latest in a season fraught with challenges for the Braves.

“You get to a point where it’s a little overkill,” manager Brian Snitker told reporters after Sunday’s game. “The depth will cover some area, but after a while, it’s tough.”