Atlanta Braves sign 2021 playoff hero amid wave of roster moves

The Atlanta Braves have become very experienced at completing reclamation projects, and they added another one to their to-do list Friday.

Atlanta has signed outfielder Eddie Rosario, the 2021 National League Championship Series MVP and a central figure in the team’s World Series run, to a minor league contract, the organization announced.

Rosario, who was released by the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, will report to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on Friday night. The Stripers are currently on the road in Minnesota, where they are scheduled to play the St. Paul Saints at 8:07 p.m. ET.

Rosario, 32, had a tough season in Washington, hitting .183 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 67 games and 219 at-bats.

Rosario’s first stint in Atlanta came in 2021, when he was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline and became a hero in October. In the 2021 NLCS, when the Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games, Rosario hit .560 with three home runs and nine RBIs, including a three-run hit in Game 6.

A native of Guayama, Puerto Rico, he signed a two-year contract with Atlanta the following spring, but his results declined. In 2023, he played in 142 games, the second-most of his career, and had a .255 average with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs.

Atlanta’s outfield has been riddled with injuries, led by Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending torn ACL and Michael Harris II’s hamstring strain that forced him to miss the last three weeks.

Rosario isn’t necessarily expected to be a ready-made savior — hence the minor league deal — but the Braves are certainly hoping he can eventually provide quality at-bats in MLB.

But Rosario wasn’t the only roster move the Braves made Friday, as Atlanta sent Forrest Wall to Triple-A Gwinnett and brought in Eli White in his place. White wasn’t previously on the 40-man roster, and to make room for his promotion, the Braves transferred left-handed pitcher Ray Kerr (elbow) to the 60-day injured list.

Elsewhere in Gwinnett, infielder Brian Anderson begins a rehab assignment Friday night.

The Braves return to action at 7:20 p.m. ET on Friday, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park.